View Full Version : when are you sowing your garden this year?
We are going to shoot for the second week in May anyone think that's too early?
Second week of May?....-I'll be planting at least two weeks prior to that as I have every other year. We did April 15 two years ago and were happy we did. Look at the 10-day forecast and proceed accordingly. Greens (lettuce/kale/chard/etc.) can go in right now/today, the cold won't hurt those.
My garden is getting sowed once wheat ridge comm center calls the gf......gonna dabble with mychorrizae this year.
RCCrawler
04-06-2014, 19:47
Anytime we planted before Mother's Day we got screwed.
I think the only thing I'll be doing this year is an aquaponics setup growing a few cucumbers off of my pond.
My garden is getting sowed once wheat ridge comm center calls the gf......gonna dabble with mychorrizae this year.
You wanna dial back the nutes when using mycho
Anytime we planted before Mother's Day we got screwed.
US too we got some snow may 20th or somewhere around there last year that killed everything then we replanted in July and early frost took most of the garden :(
Last year sucked we are trying to go bigger this year
You wanna dial back the nutes when using mycho
Yeah that's what I been reading. I got some homemade compost I'm gonna add....nothing crazy. Add the myo sort of "set it and forget it". Just check for bugs and water.....I'm assuming you have used/use it? Any tips?
Firehaus
04-06-2014, 23:48
You should get something that has bacteria in it as well like this stuff. http://alphaagsolutions.com/terra-one/
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Great-Kazoo
04-07-2014, 08:49
simple one for a 1st timer. Doing them out of 5 gal buckets, with lots of drain holes. Basil, oregano, few pepper plants.
I just planted my hops rhizomes this weekend. I'll add a pic later tonight.
Started the seeds this weekend indoors as well.
simple one for a 1st timer. Doing them out of 5 gal buckets, with lots of drain holes. Basil, oregano, few pepper plants.
You can get away with way smaller pots for the herbs
I just planted my hops rhizomes this weekend. I'll add a pic later tonight.
Started the seeds this weekend indoors as well.
Your doing beer from homegrown hops???
I don't start out indoors out by me it's impossible to harden them off from the wind out here
Your doing beer from homegrown hops???
I don't start out indoors out by me it's impossible to harden them off from the wind out here
I'm going to attempt it. I got the rhizomes from a hops farm in Colorado.
Hops is one of the most expensive ingredients, especially when i do an IPA. The first year I am anticipating a very small harvest of hops while the plants get established, but I have a really sunny side of my house that I think they will like. I was able to get 11 and a half feet of hops twine from the ground to the eave of my house. Hopefully I don't have any neighbors that turn me into the HoA.. HA!
Great-Kazoo
04-07-2014, 11:11
You can get away with way smaller pots for the herbs
want space for 2-3 per and ability to germinate.
We already have a lot of stuff going in the greenhouse, lettuce and spinach in coldframes, and bucket potatoes going. the wife's corn is already over a foot tall in the greenhouse. We had fresh tomatoes all winter long this year.
Bucket potatoes? Tell me more!
This sounds like fun, are you growing them like this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAdolIdFaos
Bucket potatoes? Tell me more!
This sounds like fun, are you growing them like this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAdolIdFaos
Yeah, same basic deal. 5 gallon bucket with drain holes, gravel, weed barrier, 4 inches of soil, plant 2 or 3 seed chunks, keep adding dirt as the shoots start to peek through to keep the potatoes from turning green. Should yield about 40 lbs per bucket by the time the dirt gets to the top.
Yeah, same basic deal. 5 gallon bucket with drain holes, gravel, weed barrier, 4 inches of soil, plant 2 or 3 seed chunks, keep adding dirt as the shoots start to peek through to keep the potatoes from turning green. Should yield about 40 lbs per bucket by the time the dirt gets to the top.
THAT looks like fun! I have a project for the weekend thanks!
We have good luck with Green Peppers, Tomatoes and Egg Plants the past couple of years. Beans are always working.
Yeah, same basic deal. 5 gallon bucket with drain holes, gravel, weed barrier, 4 inches of soil, plant 2 or 3 seed chunks, keep adding dirt as the shoots start to peek through to keep the potatoes from turning green. Should yield about 40 lbs per bucket by the time the dirt gets to the top.
How much dirt are you putting on top of the shoots? When do you harvest?
How much dirt are you putting on top of the shoots? When do you harvest?
We just started these, but they say 1-2 inches over the tops of the shoots, keep covering them as they grow. They like water, but need to be well drained. Harvest when they leaf out after the bucket is filled with dirt (3ish months?).
SamuraiCO
04-07-2014, 13:33
I just planted my hops rhizomes this weekend. I'll add a pic later tonight.
Started the seeds this weekend indoors as well.
looking forward to seeing the hops pics. Starting seeds this week. Tomatoes for sauce, winter veges including butternut squash, turnips, parsnips, leeks. Cucumber, one summer and zucchini squash plant, honey dew and cantilope melons. Going to make a new deeper bed for blueberries I think the one I have is too shallow and dries out during the winter. And two new bee hives at a buddies home in Elizabeth.
re: Hops...
Once you have trained the first shoots on your trellis, any subsequent shoots from the rhisome can be cut and cooked like asparagus or pickled.
YUM
Nice thread, I just started buying some stuff last week. This will be the first year I've been involved personally - usually our "garden" is just a place for my daughter to play. And honestly I have no clue what I'm doing, hopefully youtube isn't lying to me about how to do this... LOL.
Doing russets and fingerlings in a whiskey barrel - similar to the video above.
Some herbs in some smaller pots, and planning to put some other herbs and some green onions in the semi-shady area under the deck.
Carrots, maybe some onions too. I wanted to do garlic, but apparently it's too late for that...?
I'd love to do tomatoes, peppers and green beans as well, but I'm not sure how much is too much to bite off for a first year.
Ideally, if I don't end up killing all this stuff, I'd like to turn the crappy little dirt pile we have in the corner of the yard into a raised bed - maybe next year. We have a serious rabbit population, and I'm concerned they're going to get everything that's not a couple feet off the ground.
I wanted to try growing hops this year but opted not to. Keep us posted on how it's going.
Anyone have insight on growing peppers? I'm going to try a salsa garden this summer.
I wanted to try growing hops this year but opted not to. Keep us posted on how it's going.
Anyone have insight on growing peppers? I'm going to try a salsa garden this summer.
Just chuck em in the pot an away you go peppers are super easy to grow if you want them hotter let them dry out to where the leaves just start to droop(learn how heavy you pot gets wet and dry)
A pic of three of the places I planted the hops. The other two are out of the picture on the left. because I planted them farther away as they are a different variety.
43369
hollohas
04-09-2014, 17:49
Sugar snap peas, lettuce and radishes are in the ground already. Tomatoes, peppers and herbs were started inside weeks ago and are going strong. Poles beans, zucchini, potatoes, carrots, onions, cucumbers, butternut, spaghetti squash, Acorn squash, watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, corn, celery, pumpkins and a few other things I'm forgetting will get planted right before mothers day. The indoor plants will be transplanted then too.
A few picks from last year. These are examples of my harvest pretty much every other day all summer long. All came from one 20'x 3' bed and one 6' x 8' bed plus a few 10" holes in the river rock ground cover for the squash and melons. http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/10/2usyqeva.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/10/y4y9y3ep.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/10/a4ubyzav.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/10/yve3y5y4.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/10/ahedyran.jpg
That is awesome! I have only started with two 4x8 raised beds... can't fit much in there, but I hope that it is a good start. I have a feeling the HoA doesn't get involved with the back yard unless I get too crazy.
The asparagus is starting to poke through that the previous owner planted. And the fruit trees are starting up.
And another question... where is everyone getting seeds?
hollohas
04-09-2014, 18:45
I wish I had fruit trees.
My favorite part of the garden is that my kid (3 years old most of last summer) came out with me each evening and she just snacked on all the fresh food while I was tending to it. She'd be running around and every few minutes run over and pick something to eat right off the plant...cucumbers, green beans, peas and carrots...she just loves it! She has already told me she plans to pull and eat "all" the carrots this year.
hollohas
04-09-2014, 18:51
Bucket potatoes are awesome however I found out that not all potatoes produce a lot that way. Last year I had yukon golds and fingerlings. I use boxes and the fingerlings grew the entire 4ft deep box but the Yukon's only grew in the bottom layer.
My boxes are built from fence pickets with 2x2's to nest each level together. As the plant grows, I add additional layers and more dirt.
Start small
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/10/uqarehas.jpg
Then add layers
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/10/y3abydyz.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/10/a6uvu3ys.jpg
Partial harvest.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/10/byvubunu.jpg
My cousin grew potatoes on his concrete driveway in some hay one year. I'm sure the neighbors loved that.
hollohas
04-10-2014, 16:24
Someone mentioned the late freeze last year. That's why its always good to wait. I only planted 4 tomato plants early last year (just as a test) but they all froze.
Here was the weather on 4/28/13
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/11/rygu7asu.jpg
And this was 5/1/13
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/11/hyhahata.jpg
My first Willamette Hops Rhisome has sprouted!
43747
Someone mentioned the late freeze last year. That's why its always good to wait. I only planted 4 tomato plants early last year (just as a test) but they all froze.
Here was the weather on 4/28/13
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/11/rygu7asu.jpg
And this was 5/1/13
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/11/hyhahata.jpg
Lmao I love co
My first Willamette Hops Rhisome has sprouted!
43747
[Beer]
Anybody recommend a good pickling cucumber breed/brand/whatever? Would like to try planting some this year for making pickles.
snowed yesterday
we are considering next monday depending on how the ten day looks
Anybody recommend a good pickling cucumber breed/brand/whatever? Would like to try planting some this year for making pickles.
these guys are legit
http://www.ufseeds.com/store.php?dpid=search&term=pickle&Submit.x=0&Submit.y=0
snowed yesterday
we are considering next monday depending on how the ten day looks
I wish my seedlings were big enough... they are seriously slow.
Quite discouraged this weekend, when trying to ease the trays of seedlings outside, the greenhouse shelves got blown over. Some seedlings didn't survive and many are damaged.
Planting today
I'll post pics when we're done
10 day 80808 looks good unless I'm not seeing something
SamuraiCO
05-04-2014, 14:54
I will be buying some plants this year I srarted some plants too late. I am waiting a few weeks to put them in.
44377
Hops found the trellis! This is the biggest of the 5 plants.
Fucking snow tomorrow probably gonna kill my whole shit
[Rant2]
What are you planning to brew once you've harvested? I think a night of homebrew tasting might be in order.
Fucking snow tomorrow probably gonna kill my whole shit
[Rant2]
We just moved all the potted plants to the garage and covered the in ground and bedded plants.
We just moved all the potted plants to the garage and covered the in ground and bedded plants.
What you cover em with?
What you cover em with?
we used old sheets...
Seeds yesterday. Plants later this week.
kale/chard/squash/cucumbers/lettuce planted a week ago, 8 pepper and 22 tomato plants sitting indoors waiting for a few more days...this snow thing is not amusing [Mad]
What are you planning to brew once you've harvested? I think a night of homebrew tasting might be in order.
Heck yeah! Depends On how much I get. First year harvest should be very small. I have a good recipe for a Cream Ale that is my everyday brew. If I get a lot I may do a dark IPA. It requires 10 Hop Additions. If i get middle of the road Ill make a Milk Stout that I love.
kale/chard/squash/cucumbers/lettuce planted a week ago, 8 pepper and 22 tomato plants sitting indoors waiting for a few more days...this snow thing is not amusing [Mad]
In a way I am glad that my seedlings seem to be slow starting. I would be really pissed if I were in your situation.
Pitch some sort of tent over the garden with tarps? The ground should be warm enough to keep them warm-ish.
Next year I an going to do more bucket taters I only did 3 buckets because I am learning. They are easy to bring in the garage on these isolated cold snaps. I have already had to put more dirt in the buckets, and going to add more today.
Great I'm gonna start moving my shit into the garage
mindfold
05-11-2014, 14:23
I held off planting anything yet. I am getting ready to till one more time before I get everything planted. Trying the box tatters thing too this year. Will see how the turn out is. Once done snowing I will be posting pics of the garden this year.
HoneyBadger
05-11-2014, 14:55
I really wanted to build a 5x8 raised garden bed last weekend, and get it planted, but I'm glad I didn't have time. Hopefully next weekend I can get it built and planted.
I really wanted to build a 5x8 raised garden bed last weekend, and get it planted, but I'm glad I didn't have time. Hopefully next weekend I can get it built and planted.
If you need help lemme know
HoneyBadger
05-11-2014, 15:22
If you need help lemme know
Thanks man, I think I'm good. It should be relatively simple, but a few things are going to make it take a lot of time. I'm going to tie it into my sprinkler drip system so I won't have to worry about watering, and that is going to be the biggest PITA.
Still haven't decided what I'm going to grow in it yet though. We wanted to do some peppers and tomatoes for sure, but we haven't decided on anything else.
What you cover em with?
Just like TFogger we used some old sheets and some old beach towels. If this wasn't a rental I would have put up a small greenhouse.
Just like TFogger we used some old sheets and some old beach towels. If this wasn't a rental I would have put up a small greenhouse.
My greenhouse already got denied by the HoA in my back yard. [Rant2]
My greenhouse already got denied by the HoA in my back yard. [Rant2]
One of our requirements when we buy is no HoA. We already put up a 10x10 fenced dog area, so no shed or greenhouse. I might take the dog area down since we only put it up to contain ours to try and plant grass seed in the back yard but it never took. The previous occupants rode dirt bikes back there and according to neighbors changed fluids on them and let the old run right into the ground. Really bad part of snow and rain is the mud pit we get back there and some muddy dog paws to go with it.
Thanks man, I think I'm good. It should be relatively simple, but a few things are going to make it take a lot of time. I'm going to tie it into my sprinkler drip system so I won't have to worry about watering, and that is going to be the biggest PITA.
Still haven't decided what I'm going to grow in it yet though. We wanted to do some peppers and tomatoes for sure, but we haven't decided on anything else.
I'm in the same boat, but stuck in HOA land here too. Got my 10'x4' finished last weekend but haven't dug it in, filled it up, or hooked up the drip system yet either. I think I'm going to put a small diagonal trellis on end for pickling cukes, a small vertical trellis setup for pole beans, a couple tomato plants, and then not sure what I'll do with the rest. I'm clueless when it comes to a garden, but hopefully will start learning fast.
I also want to build another smaller raised bed that I'll put between two of the split rail posts for a couple raspberry bushes if I can find the time too. The area right behind our fence is an open-space walking trail. They leave it "natural" which means we get a lot of weeds back there in the summer. I chop or spray the foot or so on the other side of the fence a couple times a year, so it'll be interesting to see how this works out.
Hopefully the added height will help with the rabbits, but I'm told my biggest problem will be when the raccoons find it.
Here's a pic before it got all snowy showing approx. where I plant to sink it in. I need to add probably another layer of side 4' boards though because of the slope.
http://i.imgur.com/CDqBjwD.jpg?1
hollohas
05-15-2014, 10:01
This weekend the 'maters and peppers will get transplanted outside as long as the next couple days stay nice enough to finish hardening them off. Remaining direct sow veggies will also go in. Sugar snap peas, onions, lettuce, strawberries, carrots and mint are all growing strong already. First batch of radishes are almost ready to harvest and I have two strawberries that will be ripe this weekend.
The tomatoes are really ready to go outside. I have been pinching off flower buds for a couple weeks. I don't like them flowering before they get outside and get their roots established. I'll start leaving the flowers in a couple weeks.
I also have a Myer Lemon tree that I have been growing inside for the last 5 months. It has a bunch of small fruit coming in that are the result of hand pollinating it. It will spend the next week or so getting outside during the day and coming inside at night until its ready to spend the rest of the summer outside full time. With any luck I will have fresh lemons by the end of summer.
HoneyBadger
05-18-2014, 21:58
I finally got my raised garden bed built and set up. This is my first attempt at a "garden": https://www.ar-15.co/threads/39065-The-post-whore-thread?p=1626815&viewfull=1#post1626815
Teaser Pic:
http://i.imgur.com/b1cNqcRl.png
I haven't planted anything yet... I'm still trying to figure out what to plant. I think I'm going to start with easy stuff like beans, peas, tomatoes, peppers, and maybe some carrots. What else grows well in Colorado and doesn't take up a lot of space?
We have an assload of sprouts
We have an assload of sprouts
They make a cream for that.
newracer
05-19-2014, 09:58
I'm in the same boat, but stuck in HOA land here too. Got my 10'x4' finished last weekend but haven't dug it in, filled it up, or hooked up the drip system yet either. I think I'm going to put a small diagonal trellis on end for pickling cukes, a small vertical trellis setup for pole beans, a couple tomato plants, and then not sure what I'll do with the rest. I'm clueless when it comes to a garden, but hopefully will start learning fast.
I also want to build another smaller raised bed that I'll put between two of the split rail posts for a couple raspberry bushes if I can find the time too. The area right behind our fence is an open-space walking trail. They leave it "natural" which means we get a lot of weeds back there in the summer. I chop or spray the foot or so on the other side of the fence a couple times a year, so it'll be interesting to see how this works out.
Hopefully the added height will help with the rabbits, but I'm told my biggest problem will be when the raccoons find it.
Here's a pic before it got all snowy showing approx. where I plant to sink it in. I need to add probably another layer of side 4' boards though because of the slope.
http://i.imgur.com/CDqBjwD.jpg?1
Nice, I need to build a raised bed soon. Was trying to put it off until next year but the wife has other ideas.
Been almost 2 weeks and my tomatoes/peppers/cucumbers have not sprouted should I re seed?
We sprout in the seed pucks so we can select the best seedlings.
2 4x6 raised beds and 72 seedlings
Its going to get crowded
We sprout in the seed pucks so we can select the best seedlings.
2 4x6 raised beds and 72 seedlings
Its going to get crowded
I can't do that out here if I don't direct sow the wind will kill seedlings in under a minute
45069 Crappy iPad pick but they are coming along nicely
Wow!!!!! When did you start em?
Wow!!!!! When did you start em?
Early march under grow lights
ChunkyMonkey
05-20-2014, 11:59
45071
140 lbs of media got delivered yesterday. I felt bad for the UPS guy [Beer]
I'm going to plant the seedlings this weekend, hardening them all this week. They don't get enough sunlight in the house so I will need to get them outside as fast as I can.
I have Tomato Plants, zukes, cukes, green and red peppers, and going to direct sow some greens under the zuke and cuke trellis. Will see how this goes for a first time ever in the new house. Already got the mulch and soil in the raised beds, and lightly covered with grass clippings to keep in the moisture.
45071
140 lbs of media got delivered yesterday. I felt bad for the UPS guy [Beer]
For your aquaponics setup?
ChunkyMonkey
05-20-2014, 12:48
For your aquaponics setup?
Yeah . Come over for BBQ man
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
jhood001
05-20-2014, 13:08
Been almost 2 weeks and my tomatoes/peppers/cucumbers have not sprouted should I re seed?
I wouldn't. Wait another 2 weeks. I think we're just now getting into temps where the ground is 'fully warmed'. Tomatoes and peppers are tough (at least for me) to get going from seed outdoors. I'm sure your cucumbers will do fine, but I wouldn't expect to see anything out of them until mid-June.
For your aquaponics setup?
Friggin HoA. [Rant2]
HoneyBadger
05-20-2014, 21:23
Planted today:
http://i.imgur.com/ZVn3wyWl.png
Green beans, snow peas, snap peas, roma and cherry tomatoes, Red and green bell peppers, jalepenos, chilis, green onions, carrots and strawberries. I'm pretty sure I over-planted it. we'll see. We also have basil, rosemary, sage, cilantro, and mint growing in planters.
jhood001
05-21-2014, 00:00
Planted today:
http://i.imgur.com/ZVn3wyWl.png
Green beans, snow peas, snap peas, roma and cherry tomatoes, Red and green bell peppers, jalepenos, chilis, green onions, carrots and strawberries. I'm pretty sure I over-planted it. we'll see. We also have basil, rosemary, sage, cilantro, and mint growing in planters.
Please report back on your snow pea results. I can't get them to grow. They always burn up.
HoneyBadger
05-21-2014, 09:15
Please report back on your snow pea results. I can't get them to grow. They always burn up.
Burn up from too much sun? This garden box get between 5-8 hours of direct sun every day, mostly in the evening. I'll be sure to update in 2-3 months when things are popped up and ready for picking. This is a big science experiment for me... I'll be happy with any sort of result. [Tooth]
The hail last night and the late frost last week pretty much destroyed 2/3 of every fruit that was developing on all my trees. I still haven't gotten to the garden center with samples for ID yet, but this year I am really disappointed already. I have 7 fruit trees of somekind (Plum, pear, and some other ones) and I am hoping they develop into something so I can get a real good ID on them this year.
HoneyBadger
05-21-2014, 09:41
The hail last night and the late frost last week pretty much destroyed 2/3 of every fruit that was developing on all my trees. I still haven't gotten to the garden center with samples for ID yet, but this year I am really disappointed already. I have 7 fruit trees of somekind (Plum, pear, and some other ones) and I am hoping they develop into something so I can get a real good ID on them this year.
That really sucks. :( I'm setting up a tarp that I can throw over my garden to keep the hail and frost away. It will attach to the ledge around the garden and hopefully the wind won't blow it off. We have an ornamental pear tree that got destroyed by the frost 2 weeks ago. It was looking soooo healthy, and now all the leaves curled up and died. :( This is a really harsh environment to try to grow anything.
That really sucks. :( I'm setting up a tarp that I can throw over my garden to keep the hail and frost away. It will attach to the ledge around the garden and hopefully the wind won't blow it off. We have an ornamental pear tree that got destroyed by the frost 2 weeks ago. It was looking soooo healthy, and now all the leaves curled up and died. :( This is a really harsh environment to try to grow anything.
I am beginning to learn that, I also haven't even gotten to the point to see if there are any pests in the earea that will pick off the remaining fruit. I might have to research maybe some netting or something. I am into canning and preserving so I would love to keep myself busy this summer with that.
Good news is the Hops did well through the frost issues and hail! Only one Hops plant stunted a little, the rest are all climbing the trellis. Potatoes got a little black but I think they will pull through.
Grape vines/raspberries/blackberries/strawberries/walking onions seem unaffected. However all the stalks of new Asparagus are pulverized.
HoneyBadger
05-21-2014, 15:03
Of course, the hail is on its way.... At least this makes me feel like I did something.
This also creates a greenhouse of sorts... that's good for gardens, right?
http://i.imgur.com/RrVXnp8l.png
http://i.imgur.com/ZnOqu5Jl.png
I have a bunch of these 4 mil tarps in my disaster kit. I guess I'll let ya'll know if they are good for anything. [Dunno]
hollohas
05-21-2014, 15:18
Hail got my garden today. The early harvest spring veggies got trashed. Strawberries, lettuce, sugar snap peas, radishes and onions are shreaded. Hopefully they bounce back.
Luckily everything else was either not up yet or in the case of my peppers and tomatoes, were covered because they're still getting hardened off.
Of course, the hail is on its way.... At least this makes me feel like I did something.
This also creates a greenhouse of sorts... that's good for gardens, right?
http://i.imgur.com/RrVXnp8l.png
http://i.imgur.com/ZnOqu5Jl.png
I have a bunch of these 4 mil tarps in my disaster kit. I guess I'll let ya'll know if they are good for anything. [Dunno]
I think I have a project for the weekend. What are you clipping the grommets to?
HoneyBadger
05-21-2014, 16:08
I staked them down outside the box, and I stapled the tarp down to the box and the wooden stakes.
I staked them down outside the box, and I stapled the tarp down to the box and the wooden stakes.
Thanks!It looked like you had some sort of clips there or something. I think that is black tape now that I look at it more.
HoneyBadger
05-21-2014, 16:22
Yeah... I used duct tape to reinforce the corners and some of the staples.
It looks like it held up fine to some 20+mph winds and a little bit of 1/4" hail. [Dunno] But, I should add... that's barely even a storm in these parts. The other side of town had several feet of water in the streets along with several inches of hail up to an inch in diameter. I think 1" hail would probably shred this plastic.
HoneyBadger
05-24-2014, 22:00
So did the plastic work?
It's still up. Last night we got a good soaking rain and it collected in a pool on top of the plastic. it got so heavy that it eventually tore a hole at the nearest post which lowered the side enough to allow some drainage. I will put a taller post in the center in the future to give the "roof" some pitch. Today we got some hail up to .5" and the plastic deflected it all with no problems. There is about a 2" gap most of the way around the bottom and the side nearest the house is a little more open so it has good ventilation. All seems to be well. If there isn't any more hail (or tornadoes) in the long-term forecast, then I'm going to take it down in the middle of the week. It's was mostly just a trial run. There isn't a lot in there to protect yet because most of the seeds won't even break the surface for another week or two.
Got the squash/cukes/tomatoes/red peppers out yesterday. I put a Tarp over the top of the tomato trellis forming a tent. It should deflect the brunt of the downpours.
The seedlings are a little small yet, but they survived the night pretty well. With the extra sun they will get, I think they will start shooting up.
Also bought and planted a black currant bush. Should be great around Xmas time for a ham topping!
We lost about 10% of our seedlings last night......not to bad for a storm that picked up my daughter's 30 pound slide and threw it 20 feet off my porch
Sorry to hear cofi. Supposed to get more weather at the end of the week. Hopefully just rain.
Eh... tomatoes got a little sunburned today... so far they haven't drooped or anything.
Vanniek71
05-25-2014, 21:47
I put mine in too early, snow killed my jalapenos and habaneros, but everything else is coming up!
grabbbed some more pepper plants and should be good to go this year hopefully now
I put mine in too early, snow killed my jalapenos and habaneros, but everything else is coming up!
grabbbed some more pepper plants and should be good to go this year hopefully now
I love both but don't cook with them enough to plant them. Family doesn't like heat. I enjoy the different flavors of the peppers.
All of my bell peppers and tomatoes this year are Heirloom, so I'm saving some this year for next year.
Vanniek71
05-25-2014, 22:07
I love both but don't cook with them enough to plant them. Family doesn't like heat. I enjoy the different flavors of the peppers.
All of my bell peppers and tomatoes this year are Heirloom, so I'm saving some this year for next year.
I eat so much spicy food that I decided it was silly not to plant them!
I love both but don't cook with them enough to plant them. Family doesn't like heat. I enjoy the different flavors of the peppers.
All of my bell peppers and tomatoes this year are Heirloom, so I'm saving some this year for next year.
We're prossesing all our seeds this year in case you guys wanna have a swap this fall
HoneyBadger
05-26-2014, 10:40
This year we didn't do any heirloom stuff because we're just getting started and we are still learning the basics. Next year, we'd like to.
I'd need to be able to get a year where I have a full harvest before I try heirlooms and gathering the seeds. I think my jalepenos this year are, but I'll wait to see how they come out.
SamuraiCO
05-26-2014, 16:25
http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g410/samurai64/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-05/02D18A9C-3320-4410-8A2C-EAF19B2545EA_zps0lhyqqfb.jpg (http://s1100.photobucket.com/user/samurai64/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-05/02D18A9C-3320-4410-8A2C-EAF19B2545EA_zps0lhyqqfb.jpg.html)
Finally got my tomatos and beans in. Had to buy tomatoes I didn't start them soon enough but I planted them anyway. They are between the larger ones and the beans. Tomatoes are all for sauce.
Closest is carrots, turnips and parsnips. One did not come up like I thought might replant.
http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g410/samurai64/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-05/BD2399EA-4462-450F-B2A0-4744C29A38D8_zpsq4klyoyk.jpg (http://s1100.photobucket.com/user/samurai64/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-05/BD2399EA-4462-450F-B2A0-4744C29A38D8_zpsq4klyoyk.jpg.html)
Also built another 8' by 6' bed today and planted with one summer squash, one zucchini, one cucumber, one butternut, one honey dew and one cantalope. I will trail the vines out of the box as they mature.
Good days work.
Good news guys, I'm accidentally growing potatoes this year! I got them last year and re-planted them and they quickly died. They came back this year though.
Good news guys, I'm accidentally growing potatoes this year! I got them last year and re-planted them and they quickly died. They came back this year though.
Awesome! The 3, 5 gallon buckets of potatoes I decided to try this year are all the way to the top. Alright I might as well share too!
45307
Here's the Backyard. Tree to the right foreground is plum. PVC trellis behind it is Grapes. Below them is a bed with Eqyptian walking onions (anyone want to try them let me know they are flowering now.) tree to the left of grapes is apple, and the one to the left of it as well. Behind those trees are blackberries. The two trees to the left are the ones that DSB gave us a good idea at what they were (either russian olive or buckthorn) Just behind and below those are Strawberries.
45309
Hops is doing well! The one on the left is 4 foot tall already. There is so much mint growing everywhere... It is taking over the rocks.
4531145313
And here is my 4x8s
Right side is Cukes and Zukes, i'll have lettuce under them i thinks. Maters in the middle, and peppers will go on the left.
I really want to try some radishes, but just haven't gotten to it. Didn't harden the seedlings good enough they is getting sunburn unfortunately. Behind these Raised beds there are 2 Plum trees.
45315
Vanniek71
05-26-2014, 20:22
Man that's a heck of a spread!!
Man that's a heck of a spread!!
And the side of the house is all raspberries. When I bought the place I decided I was going to learn gardening LOL
Vanniek71
05-26-2014, 21:42
That's good, saves money and is healthier! Growing up in MI we relied on our garden it was like an acre plus. I hated it then, but now that I'm olderI'm just getting back in to it and can't wait till harvest!
That's good, saves money and is healthier! Growing up in MI we relied on our garden it was like an acre plus. I hated it then, but now that I'm olderI'm just getting back in to it and can't wait till harvest!
Me too! I really need to do a cost comparison. The initial expense is high, but there must be some savings over store bought stuff. I know it tastes hecka better. One thing I cannot wait for is the taste of a locally grown tomato. I have not had a tomato right out of the garden since I was a kid.
Vanniek71
05-26-2014, 22:44
Me too! I really need to do a cost comparison. The initial expense is high, but there must be some savings over store bought stuff. I know it tastes hecka better. One thing I cannot wait for is the taste of a locally grown tomato. I have not had a tomato right out of the garden since I was a kid.
I've never had a tomato right out of the garden lol I'd rather eat the dirt! But for folks that like that sorta thing I heard they are great lol!
I've never had a tomato right out of the garden lol I'd rather eat the dirt! But for folks that like that sorta thing I heard they are great lol!
Well if you don't like tomatoes then good news! Everything tastes better grown locally and allowed to ripen on the plant instead of grown in another country picked early and shipped to a store.
EDIT: I still have a lot of seedlings left. I just can't get myself to throw them away seems like a waste. Sooo.... my idea is to wait until i can see my seedlings are established, and put them in containers to grow. We will see how that works I guess.
mindfold
05-27-2014, 18:39
http://s1369.photobucket.com/user/mindfold1977/library/2014%20garden%20
Year 1 of Garden. This is the third year for the pear trees and second year for the rasberries. I too have a lot of seedinglings left. Peppers and a mix of tomatoes. Gonna keep them this week and will be giving them away after that. I always had a garden in Michingan and water was never an issue. This year's water bill is going to be looked over. A down spout reroute is on the list of items.
List of items growing:
Carrots
Onions
Tomotoes
Green Beans
grapes
pears
rasberries
peppers (red, green and yellow)
cukes
cantaloupe
Vanniek71
05-27-2014, 19:25
Where at in MI are you from?
I always find a lot of folks from MI in CO. For obvious reasons of course
lol
Where at in MI are you from?
I always find a lot of folks from MI in CO. For obvious reasons of course
lol
Are you a UPer? LOL
Vanniek71
05-27-2014, 19:48
I've got family up there, but I'm from SE Michigan originally. Spent time on the West coast too.
http://s1369.photobucket.com/user/mindfold1977/library/2014%20garden%20
Year 1 of Garden. This is the third year for the pear trees and second year for the rasberries. I too have a lot of seedinglings left. Peppers and a mix of tomatoes. Gonna keep them this week and will be giving them away after that. I always had a garden in Michingan and water was never an issue. This year's water bill is going to be looked over. A down spout reroute is on the list of items.
List of items growing:
Carrots
Onions
Tomotoes
Green Beans
grapes
pears
rasberries
peppers (red, green and yellow)
cukes
cantaloupe
album is set to private
mindfold
05-27-2014, 20:01
Are you a UPer? LOL
It is spelled Yooper and yes.
Sent from my tin foil coated mind reading device.
mindfold
05-27-2014, 20:02
album is set to private
Fixed.
Sent from my tin foil coated mind reading device.
It is spelled Yooper and yes.
Sent from my tin foil coated mind reading device.
We always called it the U.P. so that's how I spelt it. LOL
At least you aren't from .... cringe.... Illinois
mindfold
05-27-2014, 22:02
We always called it the U.P. so that's how I spelt it. LOL
At least you aren't from .... cringe.... Illinois
Oh hell no I am no FIB.
Sent from my tin foil coated mind reading device.
Oh hell no I am no FIB.
Sent from my tin foil coated mind reading device.
HA! THAT is awesome!
2 Red Pepper plants suddenly turned black at the new growth area, and I don't think they can be saved.
They have been out now a few days... and literally from 1400 - 1700 they managed to turn bad.
mindfold
05-27-2014, 22:05
HA! THAT is awesome!
Good to see someone understands the world.
Sent from my tin foil coated mind reading device.
Good to see someone understands the world.
Sent from my tin foil coated mind reading device.
Ya Eh? I'm from WI. Went back home... Walking off the plane into the jetway was like walking into a wall of humidity... I'm not going back if I can help it.
So went to Nicks Garden center today, and they have some used 15 gallon nursery planters for $3 each. I am going to put my leftover seedlings in these.
Ya Eh? I'm from WI. Went back home... Walking off the plane into the jetway was like walking into a wall of humidity... I'm not going back if I can help it.
So went to Nicks Garden center today, and they have some used 15 gallon nursery planters for $3 each. I am going to put my leftover seedlings in these.
That's a crazy good deal we did all containers this year I spend 3$ a pot and all the free dirt I could carry from some doper off craigslist
That's a crazy good deal we did all containers this year I spend 3$ a pot and all the free dirt I could carry from some doper off craigslist
I have been going there a lot, they are typically more expensive than wallyworkd or Home Depot, but I am pretty sure they are a family owned business. While I am sure that some of the employees there possibly do not pay taxes on income... oh well.
They usually have what I want and the staff is very knowledgable. I didn't know that they sold the used containers, but they basically sell the containers after they no longer need them. It is fine I don't care how they look, and 3 bucks is pretty cheap.
HoneyBadger
05-28-2014, 16:04
Where at in MI are you from?
I always find a lot of folks from MI in CO. For obvious reasons of course
lol
I'm from Grand Rapids, MI. Most of my family is still in GR or Hillsdale, MI. Yoopers are weird. [Dunno]
mindfold
05-28-2014, 16:57
I'm from Grand Rapids, MI. Most of my family is still in GR or Hillsdale, MI. Yoopers are weird. [Dunno]
Says the Troll.
Anyway, back on subject. With so many of us getting gardens together this year, I am thinking of trading out some canned goods to each other. I make a mean salsa and pickled beans.
I was hoping to get enough pears and rasberries to make a good cider or mead this year too. May trade for some other beers out there.
Says the Troll.
Anyway, back on subject. With so many of us getting gardens together this year, I am thinking of trading out some canned goods to each other. I make a mean salsa and pickled beans.
I was hoping to get enough pears and rasberries to make a good cider or mead this year too. May trade for some other beers out there.
Sounds like a good idea, even to get to know the people with preparedness like mindedness.
I am going to have lots of jam this year.
Vanniek71
05-28-2014, 20:03
I'm from Grand Rapids, MI. Most of my family is still in GR or Hillsdale, MI. Yoopers are weird. [Dunno]
My dad is in South Haven, about an hour south of GR...my brother lives in GR though.
My mom lives in the Hillsdale area.
and yes Yoopers are a bit odd...they are after all southern Canadians....
Sounds like a good idea, even to get to know the people with preparedness like mindedness.
I am going to have lots of jam this year.
Agreed, would be nice to meet up.
mindfold
05-29-2014, 17:45
My dad is in South Haven, about an hour south of GR...my brother lives in GR though.
My mom lives in the Hillsdale area.
and yes Yoopers are a bit odd...they are after all southern Canadians....
Maybe but we have guns and better football.
Sent from my tin foil coated mind reading device.
If anyone needs Mint cuttings, Mint has taken over the landscaping rocks. Probably good for people who make soaps, candles and things. They taste yummy.
I also have some citronella i think.
My dad is in South Haven, about an hour south of GR...my brother lives in GR though.
My mom lives in the Hillsdale area.
and yes Yoopers are a bit odd...they are after all southern Canadians....
Spent a lot of summer days in my high school years in South Haven. I grew up in the Kalamazoo area, so it was a quick drive there.
Potted tomatoes are climbing nice, leeks and jalepenos are sprouting and I already have two strawberry plants with fruits and one is turning pink. Herbs are doing ok, might get to cut some spearmint soon. Still have some plants where you can tell the leaves got hit with hail, but are starting to rebound thankfully.
HoneyBadger
05-31-2014, 20:29
I've got tiny little sprouts coming up! Beans, snow peas, green onions, and carrots!
I've got tiny little sprouts coming up! Beans, snow peas, green onions, and carrots!
Sunburning! FRUSTRATED!
ChunkyMonkey
06-01-2014, 23:20
Sunburning! FRUSTRATED!
Net
OK so I'm way behind any reasonable garden timeframes, but I did end this weekend with 3 raised beds built, installed, and filled with good "dirt." 2 of them are planted, the last one should be done in the next 48 hours.
Tagawas was out of the little plastic strawberries trays though, so the lady recommended I buy one of those big hanging pots to use. "Fort Laramie" - supposed to be good berries. I broke the pot apart and planted the clumps individually, but there are a ton of long runners. For now I just sorta shoved the "elbows" of the runners into a little soil. The internet seems mixed on whether it's better to cut them off completely to let the mother plant focus on her roots, or to go head and let them start growing too. The leaves are huge compared to what I'm used to seeing in strawberries, and 24 hours after I planted and watered them the leaves are all flat and laying on the dirt. Hope I didn't kill the darn things. I'd feel pretty bad if I killed strawberries. They're supposed to be easy, right?
Didn't have a clue how to plant the raspberries either. All the info online shows people planting bare twigs with roots. These were mini-plants from a pot. I broke up the wad of stuff in the pot and separated the canes as much as I can before burying them in the bed. We'll see how I do with those too.
If any of this stuff lives, I can say this was a fun thing to really start getting into this year. If they all die soon, I'll just go back to focusing on reloading I guess. ;)
Beans and cukes tomorrow evening, as soon as I get the trellis attached.
I have at least a full wheelbarrow or two left of soil. Need to figure out what to do with it... I suppose I could make another bed, or maybe just get some random seeds or something going in 5gal buckets...?
Net
I picked up some plastic fencing for 9 dollars a roll for 2' x 25'. I doubled it up and put it around the raised beds. I figure I would need to eventually to keep pests away. It looks like it takes the edge off the sun when it is not directly overhead. We shall see how it effects the sunburning.
...
Tagawas was out of the little plastic strawberries trays though, so the lady recommended I buy one of those big hanging pots to use. "Fort Laramie" - supposed to be good berries. I broke the pot apart and planted the clumps individually, but there are a ton of long runners. For now I just sorta shoved the "elbows" of the runners into a little soil. The internet seems mixed on whether it's better to cut them off completely to let the mother plant focus on her roots, or to go head and let them start growing too. The leaves are huge compared to what I'm used to seeing in strawberries, and 24 hours after I planted and watered them the leaves are all flat and laying on the dirt. Hope I didn't kill the darn things. I'd feel pretty bad if I killed strawberries. They're supposed to be easy, right?
Didn't have a clue how to plant the raspberries either. All the info online shows people planting bare twigs with roots. These were mini-plants from a pot. I broke up the wad of stuff in the pot and separated the canes as much as I can before burying them in the bed. We'll see how I do with those too.
I have at least a full wheelbarrow or two left of soil. Need to figure out what to do with it... I suppose I could make another bed, or maybe just get some random seeds or something going in 5gal buckets...?
I planted Strawberries this weekend too... I just added a couple plants to whatever I had which isn't much.
I added one Blackberry plant that we bought from the store Raspberries should be the same. It looked like just a dead twig coming out of the ground for a good month and a half. I believe until the root system is established it doesn't do much in the way of canes at the top. My new Blackberry plant just has a few really healthy leaves while the other plants that have been there a while are doing well.
Do Potatoes with your leftover dirt? I have 3 buckets of potatoes right now and the greenery at the top of the bucket is growing like mad. You stat the seed potatoes at the bottom with good drainage, and a couple inches of soil in each bucket, and add soil as the green tops emerge until you are at the top of the bucket. This year is my fiorst year doing them and it is looking like it is working so far.
That's a good point. I have a barrel of potatoes about half full now that I've slowly been adding dirt to, and it's growing like crazy. I'm supposed to have some good fingerlings dropped off this week too, and I'll need another bucket to grow those guys in as well...
That's a good point. I have a barrel of potatoes about half full now that I've slowly been adding dirt to, and it's growing like crazy. I'm supposed to have some good fingerlings dropped off this week too, and I'll need another bucket to grow those guys in as well...
Mine seem to love the all day sun, they pretty much have been growing an inch or more a day. I hope the potatoes are as well. :-) I also read somewhere that the fingerlings give a better yield for container-grown potatoes. Anyone know if that is correct? I bought red seed potatoes for this year because that was what was on sale.
Deer got three of my cabbage plants last night.
Deer got three of my cabbage plants last night.
If you were in a Preparedness situation, I'd say you could have come out ahead.
I hear you need really tall fences to keep those buggers out. Scarecrow? With some predator scent?
I usually put out a sprinkler with a motion detector, it works pretty good. Didn't get it out soon enough this year.
Anybody have raccoon problems? I've been warned they will ruin any garden I try to grow. Looking for ideas. I'm going to get one of those motion detector sprinklers, and I built a little cage over the strawberries, will probably rig up some sort of netting or chicken wire or something for the raspberries if needed as well. But I don't have a clue how to protect the big raised garden bed... other than to buy some NV goggles and sit outside all night long.
The only problem I have had with racoons is sweet corn. Every time I have planted it they go through and strip every ear about three days before I think it's ready to pick. Finally gave up.
Ive got a dog that keeps everything but the smaller birds away. Of course she tramples a little bit of the crop to sniff around
clodhopper
06-03-2014, 13:33
Ive got a dog that keeps everything but the smaller birds away. Of course she tramples a little bit of the crop to sniff around
ditto. I put up a livestock electric fence around the garden. She will hit it once in the spring and then I turn it off but leave the wire up. She will tear ass out to the garden when a bird or squirrel is around, but pulls up to a screeching halt at the wire. Works good, critter defense and no trampled plants.
I have been known to put up a piece of wire (not connected to anything) to dissuade other bad doggy habits.
HoneyBadger
06-03-2014, 14:10
But I don't have a clue how to protect the big raised garden bed... other than to buy some NV goggles and sit outside all night long.
I'm almost to this point with the damned rabbits and all the flowers we planted in the front yard this year. Fortunately, I don't have to deal with raccoons.
ChunkyMonkey
06-05-2014, 17:50
Incoming!
http://i.imgur.com/s97CyAP.jpg?1
ChunkyMonkey
06-05-2014, 17:52
Crap.. 10 min later.. golf ball sized hail coming down now.
ChunkyMonkey
06-05-2014, 18:09
Not as bad as I thought, but it might be a total redo for some of the plants
http://i.imgur.com/gSCgt2z.jpg?1
I was watching that storm as I was driving home. we got some hail yesterday and today... only one tomado plant snapped in half... lots of fruit off the trees. meh. It is what it is i guess.
ChunkyMonkey
06-05-2014, 18:25
I was watching that storm as I was driving home. we got some hail yesterday and today... only one tomado plant snapped in half... lots of fruit off the trees. meh. It is what it is i guess.
Happens when you breed a tornado and tomato.
Happens when you breed a tornado and tomato.
I thought it would be fun, all I got was Marinara all over the yard.
ChunkyMonkey
06-05-2014, 18:53
I thought it would be fun, all I got was Marinara all over the yard.
Next time, use counter clockwise tornado instead.
I hope we don't get any hail out east I'm in the springs now but in the circus so I have no idea what the weathers like outside
HoneyBadger
06-05-2014, 20:25
I hope we don't get any hail out east I'm in the springs now but in the circus so I have no idea what the weathers like outside
Things looked pretty nasty out by your place about an hour ago, but it seems to have calmed down now. I hope your plants are okay!
Edit: I just checked accuweather and it looks like more nastiness might be heading your way!
Well we lost 90-100% fuck this shitty states weather
I'm gonna kill the rest in the morning we will try again next year in a greenhouse
Well we lost 90-100% fuck this shitty states weather
I'm quite discouraged myself.
ChunkyMonkey
06-05-2014, 23:49
I'm gonna kill the rest in the morning we will try again next year in a greenhouse
Sorry to hear that Cofi. It's raining and hailing pretty hard right now. The aquaponic is overflowing... hope those tilapia fingerlings hide on the bottom. Overall it is very discouraging. I learnt that weed are best for Colorado.. as in water crest, mint, or even the kind that you smoke. Shade plants have little chance in our kind of weather.
mindfold
06-06-2014, 09:09
I have a ton of tomato and pepper seedlings that are good if anyone wants to salvage some of the growing season
Sent from my tin foil coated mind reading device.
I have a ton of tomato and pepper seedlings that are good if anyone wants to salvage some of the growing season
Sent from my tin foil coated mind reading device.
I still a couple extra that I have set aside. I think next year I will plant more seedlings for this reason.
I have a ton of tomato and pepper seedlings that are good if anyone wants to salvage some of the growing season
Sent from my tin foil coated mind reading device.
My lone jalapeno looks like it won't make it. Got some sunburn on the leaves and even the pea sized hail last night pounded it. Rest look ok, even picked a couple of deep red strawberries in between storms that tasted great. They were small, but noticeably sweeter than the CA grown ones in my fridge.
My lone jalapeno looks like it won't make it. Got some sunburn on the leaves and even the pea sized hail last night pounded it. Rest look ok, even picked a couple of deep red strawberries in between storms that tasted great. They were small, but noticeably sweeter than the CA grown ones in my fridge.
I hear ya Dave, WHile my seedlings have seemed to have survived for now, The hail and pretty high winds the last couple nights just blew and knocked a lot of the tree fruit off the trees in the yard. The Pears and Apples seem to be more hail resistant than the Plums and cherries.
More hail and high winds for tonight
More hail and high winds for tonight
Getting dark skies and winds already in Lakewood.
Wind & rain probably would not terminate our garden but a good dose of hail could ruin it all. Each year I ponder putting in mesh netting over the garden just for hail but always find a way to rationalize not doing it. Eventually my luck will run out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIHtzJkihxs
How I'm feeling right now nsfw
Here's what my pepper plant looks like now. Is it salvageable?
45731
Here's what my pepper plant looks like now. Is it salvageable?
45731
Should be ok
hollohas
06-06-2014, 17:54
Oh yeah, it'll come back fine.
I'd cut off the broken leaves. Plants will waste energy trying to keep bad leaves alive.
I'd cut off the broken leaves. Plants will waste energy trying to keep bad leaves alive.
I'll get on that
hollohas
06-06-2014, 20:46
First harvest of the year. (Minus the single carrot that lived through winter that my kiddo ate last month and the 2 early strawberries) http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/07/zu4y3yma.jpg
We saved a lot of the garden by bringing it inside the last two days a lot that I thought dies is bouncing back
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIHtzJkihxs
How I'm feeling right now nsfw
After the hail today this is how I feel. So after this year I am going to put PVC hoops up and some sort of coverings.
Hopefully this will address several issues I have encountered this year.
- late frost.
- sunburn.
- HAIL
After the hail today this is how I feel. So after this year I am going to put PVC hoops up and some sort of coverings.
Hopefully this will address several issues I have encountered this year.
- late frost.
- sunburn.
- HAIL
I want to do the same next year my plants are still beat down and every time they start to recover we get 100mph winds or hail
HoneyBadger
06-15-2014, 14:23
Time to build a greenhouse or move to state that actually has a good climate for growing stuff.
After the hail today this is how I feel. So after this year I am going to put PVC hoops up and some sort of coverings.
Hopefully this will address several issues I have encountered this year.
- late frost.
- sunburn.
- HAIL
Yeah, had to clip some sunburned leaves from my strawberry plants today. The only thing I ever had grow well were some hops a couple years ago in a barrel planter that my dog dug up.
ChunkyMonkey
06-15-2014, 22:56
so the noobs have all given up?
so the noobs have all given up?
Naaa... I'm determined to figure this out.
ChunkyMonkey
06-15-2014, 23:44
Naaa... I'm determined to figure this out.
Glad I am not alone lol
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
hollohas
06-16-2014, 08:54
Garden is doing well and coming back strong from the earlier storms.
I have been eating radishes and lettuce every day for a week. Tomatoes are very strong. I have been pinching off the suckers and every flower so they spend their energy growing strong roots and branches. I did this last year and although it delays a harvest for a couple weeks, my tomatoes last year were a good 6ft tall and grew TONS of fruit so it's a good investment in the future.
Sugar Snap peas are a good 5ft tall and I expect to be harvesting peas in a week. Corn is 4in tall and growing. Carrots, beats, herbs, squash, melons, celery, onions are all still small but growing. Strawberry plants are getting big. I'm not sure if they are the single harvest variety or if they are the kind that produce throughout the summer so that will be a surprise. Pepper plants are still a little on the small side. Next year I will make sure to start them inside as usual, but a few weeks earlier.
Pole beans had a terrible germination rate. Maybe 5%. I re-sowed them a week ago also adding some bush beans that I know are from good stock. The bush beans are already germinated but I still have yet to see any new pole bean plants sprout. I think I got a bad batch of seeds. I also sowed additional carrot seeds all throughout my tomato beds. Apparently the two plants are mutually beneficial. I'll report on how that works this fall.
I got potatoes planted late, in boxes, and will report on those later.
For the above posts concerning keeping the plants protected, I always start my plants outside under hoops and plastic. I uncover them throughout the day once the weather warms but this year I got hit with the storms like everyone else because I left them uncovered while I was at work. After the damage I decided I would keep them covered even during the day until the threat of storms passes. I use PVC hoops and 5mil plastic making a tunnel. To keep them protected from above but not over heating during the day I just open the ends of the "tunnel". When I am home I uncover them completely so they get the full sun but I leave the plastic attached and rolled on the side so I can quickly run outside and get them covered if the hail starts flying.
I will post pics later today on the setup.
so the noobs have all given up?
Not yet. Just having seen my mom's garden growing up in Michigan vs. trying to grow stuff here it's a frustrating difference.
...
I will post pics later today on the setup.
Yes please! I think that this is what was in my head, because I think there was a pic of your garden up somewhere here before. Could you perhaps do a close up or explain how you attached the plastic to your garden for ease of placing/removing? I was thinking about putting grommets or something on the double/tripled up plastic or something like that and some hooks of some kind.
hollohas
06-16-2014, 09:57
This is a picture from a couple weeks ago of one of my tomato beds with hoop house cover pulled back during good weather.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/16/8aza6eru.jpg
Here's a picture of it covered on top for protection against hail but with sides left open for ventilation. This is how I am leaving them while I'm not home until the spring storms pass.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/16/2ybupyry.jpg
This setup works for any size bed. Pipe straps are screwed on the inside of the boards and the pvc just slips in making it easy to remove during summer.
This is a picture from a couple weeks ago of one of my tomato beds with hoop house cover pulled back during good weather.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/16/8aza6eru.jpg
Here's a picture of it covered on top for protection against hail but with sides left open for ventilation. This is how I am leaving them while I'm not home until the spring storms pass.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/16/2ybupyry.jpg
This setup works for any size bed. Pipe straps are screwed on the inside of the boards and the pvc just slips in making it easy to remove during summer.
Thanks! This will work nicely I think. Screw the HoA.
hollohas
06-16-2014, 10:27
Yes please! I think that this is what was in my head, because I think there was a pic of your garden up somewhere here before. Could you perhaps do a close up or explain how you attached the plastic to your garden for ease of placing/removing? I was thinking about putting grommets or something on the double/tripled up plastic or something like that and some hooks of some kind.
Currently one side of the plastic has brass grommets installed through the end of the plastic that has been folded over itself 4-5 times giving it a thicker seam. The grommets hook to simple screws that are in the outside of the boards sticking out an inch. I tried using grommets on both sides but I found that the stress each day pulling it to cover/un-cover/hook, the grommets pulled out. So now I just use the grommets on one side and the spring clamps you see in the picture on the other side. This makes it very easy to pull back each day and it has weathered some pretty serious wind as well.
I don't have closeup pictures with me but will post some tonight.
hollohas
06-16-2014, 10:29
Screw the HoA.
My thoughts exactly. Mine hasn't given me trouble...yet. This is year two with the hoop houses on the garden.
HoneyBadger
06-16-2014, 20:52
so the noobs have all given up?
Nope, I'm still in! My bean sprouts are about 4 inches tall now. :)
Edit: It seems that I am MONTHS behind hollohas. I guess I should have started everything inside and transplanted it. I won't have any veggies until August at this rate...
Nope, I'm still in! My bean sprouts are about 4 inches tall now. :)
Edit: It seems that I am MONTHS behind hollohas. I guess I should have started everything inside and transplanted it. I won't have any veggies until August at this rate...
US too everything's only got a few leaves on em
Next year were going to start inside and run hoops
hollohas
06-17-2014, 19:33
Peas are taking off. Look close at the 2nd picture to see them. They'll be ready to pick on Thursday or Fri. However, my 4 year old can't wait so she picked a couple dozen and ate them this evening while I was out watering. She'd grab a few, then follow me around. When those few were gone, she ran back to get another few and this went on the whole time I was out working. The girl LOVES the garden.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/18/6upaquma.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/18/a6aneqah.jpg
hollohas
06-17-2014, 20:11
Next year were going to start inside and run hoops
I guess I should have started everything inside and transplanted it. I won't have any veggies until August at this rate...
The first time I started seeds inside I made a mistake and the plants didn't grow strong. I mounted the lights much too high. I've found that the most important thing is to keep the lights mere inches (1-2) above the plants. But not everything transplants well. Tomatoes, peppers, celery, onions, strawberries and herbs are what I start inside. Some people start lettuce, cucumbers, squash and beans inside but they grow fast enough I don't see the point in starting them inside. I had two zucchini plants last year and they produced twice as much as I could eat, so no need to start them early. Spaghetti squash? I had two plants and I still have 4 squash in the basement that need to be eaten...they were direct sowed outside last year. But that's one reason I LOVE winter squash...they last through the winter and spring in the cool basement. Something that's very important if food supplies were short.
Also, carrots do not transplant well at all...it makes them not grow straight for some reason.
I am still experimenting. I have a pretty small yard so I'm working on some methods for small spaces. This is my second year with a real garden of my own but my Dad kept a very large garden when I was growing up that I spent some time in and that has helped wonders. I hope to pass that on to my kiddos too.
I had two plants and I still have 4 squash in the basement that need to be eaten...they were direct sowed outside last year. But that's one reason I LOVE winter squash...they last through the winter and spring in the cool basement. Something that's very important if food supplies were short.
Do you have a thermometer in your basement? I have storage areas in my basement where I have the space to keep things like this. I can always can it, but fresh is nice too.
I think it stays pretty cool.
So I have well over half a 10x4 bed that's just bare soil right now, and several packets of seeds just sitting around (carrots, onions, peas, beans). I went ahead and started planting some of them tonight. Any chance I will see something I can eat by the end of the summer at this point?
So I have well over half a 10x4 bed that's just bare soil right now, and several packets of seeds just sitting around (carrots, onions, peas, beans). I went ahead and started planting some of them tonight. Any chance I will see something I can eat by the end of the summer at this point?
We direct sow last year in the middle of July and still pulled veggies
hollohas
06-18-2014, 09:36
So I have well over half a 10x4 bed that's just bare soil right now, and several packets of seeds just sitting around (carrots, onions, peas, beans). I went ahead and started planting some of them tonight. Any chance I will see something I can eat by the end of the summer at this point?
All of those veggies (except onion) are typically ready to harvest in 60-75 days depending on the variety. Carrots will be the on the longer side of that range. Peas usually prefer cooler spring weather so may not be as productive during the summer but if they stay strong they should give you a bigger harvest in the fall.
Onions however can be 100-120 days or more to harvest so they may be pushing it. However they can tolerate some cold so you may be good.
Plant them all and see what happens.
ChunkyMonkey
06-18-2014, 13:18
Just lost 20 something 3"+ tilapia fingerling today. Family member that shall not be named decided that the tomato plants need more nitrogen and put some nitro sticks in the growing bed. It was real bad for the fish. Fortunately, 48 hours later, the water test is almost back to normal
I also just receive some african tilapia and they are being acclimated. Now, the question is are they strong enough for this water.
http://i.imgur.com/SakDiPd.jpg
So does anyone need fresh bait?
clodhopper
06-19-2014, 22:39
Two weeks ago I planted the last of me seedlings outside just before I had to leave town for work. Got home and everything looked different. Wife finally admitted it all died and she went to the garden store and bought new plants hoping I wouldn't notice. Yeah right.
Kinda pissed about it. That was a lot of time wasted getting seeds going. Oh well.
Vanniek71
06-19-2014, 22:52
I started seeds too, and planted and they ate that last snow storm. I had to go buy plants......lame IMO after all that work to get indoor seedlings started. I feel your pain!
hollohas
06-22-2014, 18:56
Picture heavy post ahead. Update on the Hollohas farm. Harvests of lettuce, peas and herbs continues. The first pictures shows about the amount of peas I get every day. Lettuce is example of a weekly harvest and herbs should be like this every other week or so. Except for the cilantro, it's already starting to bolt. The mint will hit the dehydrator tonight and will become tea. Other plants growing strong. I even have some lemons coming in.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/23/yqe7adyn.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/23/de5ery8a.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/23/qeva2yru.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/23/uvu7ybab.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/23/hu6upujy.jpg
One of my potato boxes.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/23/7ehypu3y.jpg
That's amazing! What have you done to convince your lemon tree to fruit? I have a patio Meyer lemon tree, and it's really fussy.
Looks awesome hollohas! Hopefully my garden will do better next year! I have learned so much in one season. Do you have any little things that you do to get an edge? Anything that you do every year that us n00bs don't think about?
hollohas
06-22-2014, 20:20
That's amazing! What have you done to convince your lemon tree to fruit? I have a patio Meyer lemon tree, and it's really fussy.
That's also a Myer lemon. I got it for my wife for Christmas. It spent the winter inside and this is it's first summer outside. I hand pollinated every single flower. It flowered twice. The first time I got little lemon fruits but I let it get too dry so the fruit all fell off. This is the second time and so far I've avoided the same mistake. The leaves got a little yellow outside and I'm not sure why but it seems to be doing ok so I'm going to see if it gets better.
hollohas
06-22-2014, 20:35
Looks awesome hollohas! Hopefully my garden will do better next year! I have learned so much in one season. Do you have any little things that you do to get an edge? Anything that you do every year that us n00bs don't think about?
Honest answer? Too soon to know if my techniques are tricks or if they are luck. This is only my second year with my own real garden. I had two years prior to that with a few big pots with a tomato plant or two and some carrots. My Dad had a large garden when I was little that I followed him around through but I don't know how much I learned from that.
The only real thing I am confident is important is start the plants I previously mentioned inside, give them LOTS of light just inches above their leaves to get then nice and strong. If the light is too dim or too far away the plants grow tall, skinny and weak. When it comes time to move them outside, harden them off. I took two full weeks to harden them off. Start with a hour outside, protected from wind and too much heat and extend that little by little each day for a week or two. My tomatoes got zero sunburn.
Also for the tomatoes and peppers I pinch off all the buds for weeks. I won't start letting them set fruit for another couple weeks. They'll put more energy into growing strong roots and branches that way...a good foundation for better production.
All the other veggies? I don't do anything but sow the seeds, give them water and mulch (straw). And I've learned my lesson about keeping them protected from hail!
A good resource I've found are the videos on www.burpee.com
Thanks for the information on gardening and lemons, hollohas!
I just looked at the Potatoes, Looks like I may loose them... they are thinning and the lower leaves are yellowing.
I just looked at the Potatoes, Looks like I may loose them... they are thinning and the lower leaves are yellowing.
Any idea what's causing that? I have one pot going crazy right now but I have no clue what I'm doing. If I saw that happening, wouldn't have a clue what to do.
I planted a second pot of potatoes about a month later and they haven't even started to bud out. They were fingerlings I got online, I'm thinking now they were sprayed with that bud-out stuff and are never going to start growing. Oh well.
Everything in my garden has slowed down. Gotten a few more strawberries, but when they are only 1 or 2 at a time I just eat them on the spot. My spearmint seems to be the exception, it's almost 3 feet high now. The leeks are looking a little sunburned, but nothing too bad. Everything else looks healthy, just slowed way down.
Any idea what's causing that? I have one pot going crazy right now but I have no clue what I'm doing. If I saw that happening, wouldn't have a clue what to do.
I planted a second pot of potatoes about a month later and they haven't even started to bud out. They were fingerlings I got online, I'm thinking now they were sprayed with that bud-out stuff and are never going to start growing. Oh well.
It just looks like they are turning yellow, I looked real close and cant see any bugs, I have a LOT of ladybugs all around so it seems they are keeping aphids and stuff down.
They were going strong for a while all bushy and green, but now they are thin and yellowing at the bottom. They are watered well and have very good drainage. Brand new soil with sand added for good drainage. They get sun for a good half of the day. I don't know I guess I'll just see what happens. They haven't been in the soil long enough to really do anything I don't think. They definitely did not like the last bit of hail we got, but I don't think that is what is causing this.
46333
Everything in my garden has slowed down. Gotten a few more strawberries, but when they are only 1 or 2 at a time I just eat them on the spot. My spearmint seems to be the exception, it's almost 3 feet high now. The leeks are looking a little sunburned, but nothing too bad. Everything else looks healthy, just slowed way down.
Mine did too. Raspberries are turning pinkish red, should start being able to harvest a bunch soon. I cut a bunch of Peppermint the other day, it is drying right now. The house smells awesome. going to get the spearmint later in the week. It just grows back, LOL.
hollohas
06-24-2014, 11:15
It just looks like they are turning yellow, I looked real close and cant see any bugs, I have a LOT of ladybugs all around so it seems they are keeping aphids and stuff down.
They were going strong for a while all bushy and green, but now they are thin and yellowing at the bottom. They are watered well and have very good drainage. Brand new soil with sand added for good drainage. They get sun for a good half of the day. I don't know I guess I'll just see what happens. They haven't been in the soil long enough to really do anything I don't think. They definitely did not like the last bit of hail we got, but I don't think that is what is causing this.
.
yellow leaves sometimes means not enough nitrogen, sometimes means too much water, and combined with wilting leaves can sometimes mean some sort disease. not sure if either is the case with your potatoes. a Google search will gives you lots of pictures of these potential problems and help you diagnose yours.
yellow leaves sometimes means not enough nitrogen, sometimes means too much water, and combined with wilting leaves can sometimes mean some sort disease. not sure if either is the case with your potatoes. a Google search will gives you lots of pictures of these potential problems and help you diagnose yours.
Yeah there is a bunch of different scenarios. Not enough or too much of calcium, magnesium, nitrogen, water. I am hoping not any of that other stuff, because the soil was brandy new, it couldn't have ran out of nutrients in the soil in 3 months could it have?
Yeah there is a bunch of different scenarios. Not enough or too much of calcium, magnesium, nitrogen, water. I am hoping not any of that other stuff, because the soil was brandy new, it couldn't have ran out of nutrients in the soil in 3 months could it have?
Just because it is new soil doesn't mean it had an abundance of available nutrients. I tend to do soil tests on the different areas I am planting.
Just because it is new soil doesn't mean it had an abundance of available nutrients. I tend to do soil tests on the different areas I am planting.
I'll see about getting a kit when I get to the garden center. That would definately open the curtains as to what I have and don't have in there.
SamuraiCO
06-25-2014, 07:56
Storm yesterday took out my zucchini, butternut squash and cucumber plants. Tomatoes little damaged but the grow cages gave some cover for them.
Got to build hoop garden top for next year.
Will replant beens for fall harvest.
Weather been tuff on the garden.
Storm yesterday took out my zucchini, butternut squash and cucumber plants. Tomatoes little damaged but the grow cages gave some cover for them.
Got to build hoop garden top for next year.
Will replant beens for fall harvest.
Weather been tuff on the garden.
I got zero rain last night, only hail. Wierd.
SamuraiCO
06-25-2014, 18:47
Yea much cooler spring/summer thus far but I have had more hail. Seems that nothing I started from seed has done well. I need to start earier and invest in some type of plant cover until they get established. Going to put up hoops over the gardens next year. That should give some added protection against our weather.
mindfold
06-25-2014, 19:13
Tomato plants are taking off with the waster nights. Peppers are looking good too. First year I will have pears!
Sent from my tin foil coated mind reading device.
mindfold
06-25-2014, 19:14
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/26/u5y8ejuj.jpg
Sent from my tin foil coated mind reading device.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/26/u5y8ejuj.jpg
Sent from my tin foil coated mind reading device.
My pear tree ( a bit bigger) looks just like that! I think my pears have a bit more bruises though from the hail.
My peach tree has had no interest fruiting this year. Does anyone know if I need to have a second peach tree to cross-pollinate?
hollohas
06-30-2014, 15:47
The peach trees I had growing up didn't need to cross pollinate. But I don't know if there are some varieties that do and some that don't.
I have had plum trees that did need to cross pollinate. However there are some grafted plum trees that don't need to cross pollinate because the tree is actually two different trees on one trunk. Don't know if they do that for peach trees or if peach trees just naturally self pollinate.
Here's an update of the Hollohas farm. This is half of it.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/01/yme8ezy2.jpg
The peach trees I had growing up didn't need to cross pollinate. But I don't know if there are some varieties that do and some that don't.
I have had plum trees that did need to cross pollinate. However there are some grafted plum trees that don't need to cross pollinate because the tree is actually two different trees on one trunk. Don't know if they do that for peach trees or if peach trees just naturally self pollinate.
Here's an update of the Hollohas farm. This is half of it.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/01/yme8ezy2.jpg
Wow, I really admire your gardening set-up. Where did you get your hoops? Is that section planted in direct sunlight? How often do you water, and do you find soaker hoses to be worth it?
Oh- I found one little fuzzy green peach hiding among the leaves on my peach tree! So, it doesn't need cross-pollinating; it's just mocking me.
I am going to have to cover my raspberries next year with netting. The birds are eating them as they ripen.
HoneyBadger
06-30-2014, 19:07
The peach trees I had growing up didn't need to cross pollinate. But I don't know if there are some varieties that do and some that don't.
I have had plum trees that did need to cross pollinate. However there are some grafted plum trees that don't need to cross pollinate because the tree is actually two different trees on one trunk. Don't know if they do that for peach trees or if peach trees just naturally self pollinate.
Here's an update of the Hollohas farm. This is half of it.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/01/yme8ezy2.jpg
Are you zoned for agriculture? [ROFL1]
That's awesome man. I envy your setup.
I am going to have to cover my raspberries next year with netting. The birds are eating them as they ripen.
I have a very quiet very accurate pellet gun your welcome to borrow
I have a very quiet very accurate pellet gun your welcome to borrow
I have my crossman at the ready for the bunnies.
Was thinking about these curtains from Ikea... 3.99 each
http://blog.trashbackwards.com/2013/07/10/reusable-garden-netting/
hollohas
06-30-2014, 21:10
Wow, I really admire your gardening set-up. Where did you get your hoops? Is that section planted in direct sunlight? How often do you water, and do you find soaker hoses to be worth it?
Oh- I found one little fuzzy green peach hiding among the leaves on my peach tree! So, it doesn't need cross-pollinating; it's just mocking me.
Thank you. The hoops are just 1/2 schedule 40 pvc cut to size. Super easy. This part of the garden is in FULL sun on the south side of my house. When the garden is just seedlings I water everyday. Now every couple/few days depending on weather. I have tried hand watering but am too lazy. I tried small drip house with the little buttons and sprayers but it was too cumbersome and full of problems. Now I use plain old soaker hose and it seems to work great. I have it hooked to a simple mechanical timer which allows me to turn it on to a certain time and forget it...because that's exactly what I did without a timer...forgot it. Only to wake up to a flooded yard the next day. The timer turns it off when I forget. Good mulch works wonders. Add a layer of straw and it will cut your watering need in half. In my experience anyway, that's not scientific by any means.
I am super glad you found a peach! Hopefully it's followed up by many more! I'm jealous and wish I had fruit trees too.
Are you zoned for agriculture? [ROFL1]
That's awesome man. I envy your setup.
Ha! Nope but I do have the biggest garden in my suburban neighborhood which isn't saying much.
I have my crossman at the ready for the bunnies.
Was thinking about these curtains from Ikea... 3.99 each
http://blog.trashbackwards.com/2013/07/10/reusable-garden-netting/
My dog keeps the bunnies away and fortunately I don't have a problem with birds but that's only because I don't have fruit trees or berry bushes. I plan to change that next year.
Those sheer curtains look like a GREAT idea. How big are they?
Thank you. The hoops are just 1/2 schedule 40 pvc cut to size. Super easy. This part of the garden is in FULL sun on the south side of my house. When the garden is just seedlings I water everyday. Now every couple/few days depending on weather. I have tried hand watering but am too lazy. I tried small drip house with the little buttons and sprayers but it was too cumbersome and full of problems. Now I use plain old soaker hose and it seems to work great. I have it hooked to a simple mechanical timer which allows me to turn it on to a certain time and forget it...because that's exactly what I did without a timer...forgot it. Only to wake up to a flooded yard the next day. The timer turns it off when I forget. Good mulch works wonders. Add a layer of straw and it will cut your watering need in half. In my experience anyway, that's not scientific by any means.
I am super glad you found a peach! Hopefully it's followed up by many more! I'm jealous and wish I had fruit trees too.
My dog keeps the bunnies away and fortunately I don't have a problem with birds but that's only because I don't have fruit trees or berry bushes. I plan to change that next year.
Those sheer curtains look like a GREAT idea. How big are they?
That sounds like something I can do. :)
If you're looking for chokecherries, I can help. We have a bunch of them, and man do the birds love them! Once our trees start producing fruit, I'll figure out how many to leave for the wildlife, and how many to cover.
The curtains are a great idea, and I see you can even use tulle. Hobby Lobby, Joann Fabrics, Michael and Colorado Fabrics all sell tulle, and often have sales.
Those sheer curtains look like a GREAT idea. How big are they?
110" x 98" I thought so too. I like the throw in washer at end of year and put away till growing season part.
I see you can even use tulle. Hobby Lobby, Joann Fabrics, Michael and Colorado Fabrics all sell tulle, and often have sales.
I work right across from Hobby Lobby, I'll give them my business instead of the Swedes. LOL
I work right across from Hobby Lobby, I'll give them my business instead of the Swedes. LOL
Smart move- they usually have the best sales and the largest sheets of tulle (although sometimes, Joanne's has massive sales on tulle online.)
LOTS of little green tomatoes! 4 big zucchini!
I just canned some raspberry "jammy" I made jam but strained most of the seeds out. 4 cup of juice yielded 8 half-pints of "jammy".
4 cups prepared fruit + 2 tsp unsalted butter + 6 tbsp classic pectin *boil* + 5.5 cups sugar *boil* + 15 minutes in a boiling water bath canner = yum!
SamuraiCO
07-14-2014, 11:24
For those with rasberries does it take a few years? I had some come up wild (bird droppings) that I dug up and replanted in my yard. They have not produced anything yet. Sun and water needs?
For those with rasberries does it take a few years? I had some come up wild (bird droppings) that I dug up and replanted in my yard. They have not produced anything yet. Sun and water needs?
Mine are all up against the East wall of my house. They get half a day's direct sun. I never water them. I have heard that transplanting them can be tricky.
I do have some that apparently were planted by a previous owner that are a good 15 feet from the east wall of the house and they get a lot more sun. I also dont water them. They are significantly smaller canes than theones up against my house. It is possible they could be a dwarf variety?
These raspberries I have up against the house are ripenining hourly. I go through and pick a bunch, and the ones that weren't quite ripe and hour or two later are ripe.
HoneyBadger
07-14-2014, 15:21
I picked my first "harvest" today! 15 snow peas. Ate them all before going back inside. :D
I re-sowed some of my peas and beans that didn't sprout the first time around and they are starting to break through the soil now.
Next year I am definitely doing tomatoes in their own individual pots. My Roma plants are getting out of control and within a month they will be choking each other out.
Would it be helpful to pinch off the buds of beans? They are flowering and I don't want to damage the sprouts, but I only got a few good plants and I want to maximize my yield. It doesn't help that I live at 7000 ft.
I've got peppers forming and my strawberries are producing again. The leeks are fattening up too. I grabbed rosemary and mint today to dry out.
I have some raspberries in my yard and they only seem to have large amounts every other year. Last year was going good until the birds came in. Then one of my dogs caught a bird... [facepalm] This year the other one caught a rabbit that made its way into the backyard.
hollohas
07-28-2014, 18:35
UPDATE.
I don't have any ripe tomatoes yet but my plants are out of control huge. For a frame of reference, my 5 year old is next to the tomato plants in the 3rd picture. The plants get bigger from left to right in the picture almost blocking the view of the pine tree in the background. The harvest will be good however because I have hundreds and hundreds of green fruit. Other pics of the "farm" including some of my melon plants, corn, beans, peppers etc. And my harvest of beats and onions from yesterday.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/29/ehema2e4.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/29/qanehare.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/29/yvejyma6.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/29/azunamy9.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/29/upenegyt.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/29/ba7a6e9y.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/29/y6a5esas.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/29/uzydadu6.jpg
Man, I'm jealous. That's amazing.
When should you harvest potatoes?
hollohas
07-29-2014, 08:32
When should you harvest potatoes?
I've read that they are ready when the plants die back. However I don't know if that means you can't harvest before that or not. I have always just waited until late fall and have never tried to dig up earlier.
My plant isn't really doing well, but I suspect it is from placement and lack of water. I'll just wait till fall.
HoneyBadger
07-29-2014, 10:07
While I was on vacation one or multiple rabbits got into my garden (which I thought was fortified with several layers of defense) and ate all of my beans and peas. All of them. Two dozen plants that were all 2-3ft tall. They also ate all of my carrot greens (pretty sure the carrots won't make it without their greens) and all of my pepper plants, including the peppers on them (I thought rabbits didn't like spicy stuff?!) and all the strawberries and flowers on the strawberry plants. They also went through the front yard and killed several vines and flowers by chewing through the stems before wandering away to go make more rabbits. This is ridiculous.
The upside is that I had just replanted about a dozen beans and a dozen peas that didn't sprout or got killed by hail the first go around and they are just sprouting now, so the rabbits didn't get them. They are sprouting this week. Also, rabbits don't like tomatoes or green onions. Better luck next year, I guess.. [Shake]
ChunkyMonkey
07-29-2014, 10:11
Harvested a bag full of thai and other peppers, a bag full of water crest leaves, kaffir lime. And I dont even like salad that much... maybe next year I ll plant some steak and burger instead.
We just harvested our first batch of potatoes, about 15 lbs of fist sized taters from a 5 gallon bucket, 4 more buckets to go.
hollohas
07-29-2014, 20:05
Wow, HoneyBadger, that sucks. That's like an apocalyptic rabbit plague. With the amount they ate, you're going to have dozens of rabbits soon. Chunky said he's just going to plant burger next year...you won't have to because you'll have plenty of the one of the other white meats to eat...get your rabbit traps ready. You'll get the last laugh when those bunnies end up in your crockpot.
Well I did have some nice tomato plants until last night...the lettuce and arugula keep producing and the pepper plants are not so happy with all this wet weather.
Next year I move back to plants in pots facing south as the tomatoes love it there and grow like crazy.
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