All Things Gardening 2018

[buffalobo]

We have 2 garden plots and alternate them every other year. Grow crops on one while composting on the other. Makes composting much easier and less labor intensive.

Actually, using tractor to work compost makes it less labor intensive and tilling regularly helps keep any odors to minimum.

[Irving]

That's interesting as I was wondering why I couldn't just uproot everything at the end of the season, leave it in place, then just till it right into the soil. Would that be effective?

[buffalobo]

That's interesting as I was wondering why I couldn't just uproot everything at the end of the season, leave it in place, then just till it right into the soil. Would that be effective?

Many farmers do exactly that. Depending on crop being planted next they do not even till previous crop, just drill in new seed. Next time you drive out to family spread watch for wheat stubble from last summer standing in green field of 3" tall wheat.

This is what we do. After everything is harvested I do a "light" disc to tear everything up, usually sometime late Sept. I leave it alone to start decomposition, add moisture if needed. Sometime in Oct I will add compost and or fertilizer and disc heavily if decomposition is slow or turn over completely if good decomp. As soon as frost is gone in spring or late March I disc heavy again and turn again. Process is alot of effort but is turning the horrible clay into soil that is easier to work by hand and requires 1/3 less water.

We hope to start this year(next year realistically) providing all fresh vegetable produce for 5+ families consumption each year and some to take to farmers market to generate enough revenue to offset costs.

ETA - I won't win any awards for soul conservation. Too much tilling.

[Irving]

That works.

[Irving]

Well, compost is actually composting. Went out to dump some scraps today and pitchforked some dirt out to cover. It was nice and hot and a deep black.

[TheGrey]

That's great news!

[hatidua]

I started my seeds (pepper/tomato/squash/eggplant/etc) three weeks ago. The squash are about 6" tall, the shishito peppers are just over 2", the jalapeno have just broken the surface, eggplant is about 2" tall. Padron peppers didn't germinate at all, will be starting a new set of those this week.

If I could go back in time, I'd have started much earlier. I don't see how these plants at their current rate are going to be big enough to go in the ground by June.

I put them out in the sun in the daytime and under UV grow lights at night. They all seem happy but some are a bit leggy.

[TheGrey]

I bet they'll grow like crazy.

One thing that I found last year is that the plants definitely need a night cycle, without light. Try giving them at least eight hours of night.

[William]

I got my fence up which has kept all the deer out except one stubborn one. I have not composted at this house so what is the best bang for the buck to augment the soil? Thinking about doing container gardening as the raised beds may not happen this year.

[buffalobo]

I got my fence up which has kept all the deer out except one stubborn one. I have not composted at this house so what is the best bang for the buck to augment the soil? Thinking about doing container gardening as the raised beds may not happen this year.

Depending on volume, can till in few bags of quality potting soil or have planters mix brought in if need yard/yards. Works in pinch for season until can get compost going. Or just bring in compost from local landscape supplier or garden center. No clue on most economical.



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