Yesturday i was able to get back out in the garden. As always I'm behind and If I want to get any sort of 'Spring' planting done in the south, I need to start now.
I pulled all the left over broccoli that only has a few side shoots. I was not able to get big heads from theses things and I'm thinking I'll have to plant many more to get any descent harvest next year.
After pulling out anything that won't make it the next few months I amended the soil with some 'Moo-nure' and some lime. I sort of have a planting plan for this year so for this spring plantings I already have onions and garlic planted, and so I went ahead and planted carrots, lettuce and mash.
For the areas where I planted lettuce and carrots, I will cross plant tomatoes (w/ the carrots) and cucumbers (vertically) where the lettuce will be.
I need to get my summer plants seeds planted indoors to have them ready for mid to the end of march, to move into the garden.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
First Frost of 2012
Well it finally happened, our first frost. And it wasn't just slightly a frost, it ended up in the mid to up 20's. So I guess that could be a freeze. This year there were a few warnings of frost in some areas, even hitting 32 by Columbia's news cast. But usually here it stays a bit warmer so I didn't cover any of my plants. And all my plants survived. But on Saturday night the 24th of November I knew it was going to hit me this time. I only covered my lettuce and my tomatoes. I grabbed half of my tomatoes (that were still green) and brought them in doors. I also cut a bunch of baby lettuce from an area I wasn't planning on covering. Well that Sunday morning, I checked and the tomatoes had met their maker. If only I had an extra month to get those tomatoes red. So next year I will need to start my seeds on June first and need to get them in the ground before mid - august which is when I ended up putting them in the garden.
On a good note, everything else is doing fine. I still continue to cover the lettuce when it seems to dip below freezing, but they tend to do ok, with a little frost. I even had my mom take my collards so that she can cook them up. They are easy to grow, I just need to learn to cook them since my wife neither eats nor cooks it.
I also got some discounted fruit trees from homedepot this past weekend. Marked down from $28 to $9.98. I'm thinking now is a good time to start planting them and giving them time to get ready for the summers heat.
On a good note, everything else is doing fine. I still continue to cover the lettuce when it seems to dip below freezing, but they tend to do ok, with a little frost. I even had my mom take my collards so that she can cook them up. They are easy to grow, I just need to learn to cook them since my wife neither eats nor cooks it.
I also got some discounted fruit trees from homedepot this past weekend. Marked down from $28 to $9.98. I'm thinking now is a good time to start planting them and giving them time to get ready for the summers heat.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
August.. the transition month!
Well another hot summer has come and gone. And as of now, its been quite nice in the mid to upper 80's, but that is mostly because of all the rain and tropical storms in the south.
Last week or two I have been slowly transitioning my garden into a fall garden. I've pulled up tomato plants that got ruined by blight, broccoli that was eaten by caterpillars etc. The only thing that I'm planning on keeping a bit longer are the peppers as they have started up production once again.
I'm giving an attempt to growing some summer veges such as Tomatoes and Zucchinis. Tomatoes I started at the beginning of July, I was told I should start fall tomatoes at the beginning of June. Time will tell if I have given this enough time to grow. As for the Zuc's, the summer squash was decimated by vine borers which I was told do not come back after the 4th of July. This second planting is starting off well, we will see if it has enough time to grow the veges.
I've also started butternut squash which are growing quite fast. I did plant these earlier in August / late July. Also sugar snap peas, carrots, broccoli and some starts of lettuce although these have not germinated as for yet, but it has been a little over a week.
I have found out that when I need compost I don't have it ready. This fall garden may not be that bountiful for the really greedy veges. I really need to get a bagger to put grass clippings in and soon need to start asking people for leaves come fall.
Last week or two I have been slowly transitioning my garden into a fall garden. I've pulled up tomato plants that got ruined by blight, broccoli that was eaten by caterpillars etc. The only thing that I'm planning on keeping a bit longer are the peppers as they have started up production once again.
I'm giving an attempt to growing some summer veges such as Tomatoes and Zucchinis. Tomatoes I started at the beginning of July, I was told I should start fall tomatoes at the beginning of June. Time will tell if I have given this enough time to grow. As for the Zuc's, the summer squash was decimated by vine borers which I was told do not come back after the 4th of July. This second planting is starting off well, we will see if it has enough time to grow the veges.
I've also started butternut squash which are growing quite fast. I did plant these earlier in August / late July. Also sugar snap peas, carrots, broccoli and some starts of lettuce although these have not germinated as for yet, but it has been a little over a week.
I have found out that when I need compost I don't have it ready. This fall garden may not be that bountiful for the really greedy veges. I really need to get a bagger to put grass clippings in and soon need to start asking people for leaves come fall.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
July.. and it's hot, hot, hot!
It's now July and we have been away for a couple weeks. When we got back it was 104 (and has hit 100 everyday), and my garden was looking sad.
Of course right before we were to leave, the majority of my tomatoes turned red and I had to give more than a dozen away. Now that we are back a bunch of tomatoes over ripened and fell off or started to rote. Also blight has completely taken over even though I still have quite a few tomatoes that are still green.
Squash vine borers have also taken out my last squash and even with a little operation it was to far gone.
Since it is hitting a 100 degrees and will have this chance all the way to August 15th, I would say the growing season it done. I am now in the process of getting some seeds started for my second or fall growing season. I started a few tomatoes but I'm thinking I should have started at the beginning of June. I've also started some broccoli since they take so long.
I also plan on planting some winter squash directly in the ground this week, and once it cools, some areas of lettuce and spinach. I'm also thought about starting some carrots, but would have to start them sooner than I did in the past as they take quite some time to grow.
Of course right before we were to leave, the majority of my tomatoes turned red and I had to give more than a dozen away. Now that we are back a bunch of tomatoes over ripened and fell off or started to rote. Also blight has completely taken over even though I still have quite a few tomatoes that are still green.
Squash vine borers have also taken out my last squash and even with a little operation it was to far gone.
Since it is hitting a 100 degrees and will have this chance all the way to August 15th, I would say the growing season it done. I am now in the process of getting some seeds started for my second or fall growing season. I started a few tomatoes but I'm thinking I should have started at the beginning of June. I've also started some broccoli since they take so long.
I also plan on planting some winter squash directly in the ground this week, and once it cools, some areas of lettuce and spinach. I'm also thought about starting some carrots, but would have to start them sooner than I did in the past as they take quite some time to grow.
Friday, June 15, 2012
June Update - and almost daily harvestings.
The garden is doing great.. remember those cucumbers I was complaining about in my last post. We'll I'm getting a bunch I usually get about 2 or 3 big sized cucumbers to eat, juice or what ever. This week after I got back from a family funeral, I noticed I had two red tomatoes. Now daily the tomatoes are turning red. I'm happy and not at the same time, as I will have to go out of town and hope they will still be edible when I get back. Such is the life of a Gardner.
Surprisingly my broccoli plants are getting huge, to bad its getting hot now, I could have had some good broccoli's this year. I will know for future reference that broccoli grows slow. I'm sure I planted the seeds at the beginning of march if not earlier.
I'm am already thinking about my fall/late summer garden. I really need to look this up but I'm thinking of starting some more tomato seeds first of July (it should have probably been first of June). Probably starting some of the slower growers as well, broccoli for sure, but maybe a few ever few weeks to spread the growing / harvesting time out a bit. I may have time to plant some more zucchini, but as usually its been a battle w/ vine borers and squash bugs. I really need to have a row cover and fertilize the heck out of them, and they should be growing faster than they are.
Of course as it cools, lettuce and spinach will be a must. But I really need to change what I did last year. The lettuce last year was bitter. I didn't water them as it was fall and seemed to be wet enough. I think this year I will continue the compost tea, watering schedule and make sure to add nitrogen fertilizer from the start and during the growth. Some for the spinach as leafy greens doing very well on high nitrogen, but not high enough to burn them.
Pepper as usual are doing great. I'm now having to look for ways to store the one's that are ready now. Freezing them will probably be the main source. I don't think I will have to grow jalapenos next year as this years crop is really going for it. The egg plants as well. I don't think these will freeze as well as the peppers but I will get it a try, what harm can it do.
Surprisingly my broccoli plants are getting huge, to bad its getting hot now, I could have had some good broccoli's this year. I will know for future reference that broccoli grows slow. I'm sure I planted the seeds at the beginning of march if not earlier.
I'm am already thinking about my fall/late summer garden. I really need to look this up but I'm thinking of starting some more tomato seeds first of July (it should have probably been first of June). Probably starting some of the slower growers as well, broccoli for sure, but maybe a few ever few weeks to spread the growing / harvesting time out a bit. I may have time to plant some more zucchini, but as usually its been a battle w/ vine borers and squash bugs. I really need to have a row cover and fertilize the heck out of them, and they should be growing faster than they are.
Of course as it cools, lettuce and spinach will be a must. But I really need to change what I did last year. The lettuce last year was bitter. I didn't water them as it was fall and seemed to be wet enough. I think this year I will continue the compost tea, watering schedule and make sure to add nitrogen fertilizer from the start and during the growth. Some for the spinach as leafy greens doing very well on high nitrogen, but not high enough to burn them.
Pepper as usual are doing great. I'm now having to look for ways to store the one's that are ready now. Freezing them will probably be the main source. I don't think I will have to grow jalapenos next year as this years crop is really going for it. The egg plants as well. I don't think these will freeze as well as the peppers but I will get it a try, what harm can it do.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Growing on in May!
It has been a while since I've made any updates. I've been busy with daily gardening and research. So for everything is growing well. The plants are doing wonderful, but as it is still early not much in development of vege's. I won't get to worried for now as I believe I started everything early enough to get the most development out of my plants before it's too hot to produce the fruit.
As for successes and failures. For the success, I've been using compost tea, and using the new compost I make compared to the store bought has been a huge difference. I'm trying to apply the tea on a weekly bases, but with the rain fall, it has been more about every week and a half. Also adding mulch is seeming to keep the soil went and keeping watering even and less frequent during the hotter days. For the most part the weather has been in low to mid 80's with occasionally hitting 90. This will soon change I am sure! :)
As for the failures, once again I failed to grow cucumbers. I have had about two small pickling cucumbers but that's about it. The leaves were also getting a spotty, mildew look. So after some research I add some baking soda and water. Unfortunately I added too much baking soda and also kept the leaves wet when the heat came. Needless to say, I totally burned my leaves to the point, I had to remove a good bit of them. They are starting to come back, but very slowly and not a lot of cucumbers as of yet.
I do see the starts of jalapenos and tomatoes in the making, and I'm hoping to have a descent growth for these. Next year I would like to add the mix that Ronnie from the Small Town Gardener, added to each plant during planting.
As for successes and failures. For the success, I've been using compost tea, and using the new compost I make compared to the store bought has been a huge difference. I'm trying to apply the tea on a weekly bases, but with the rain fall, it has been more about every week and a half. Also adding mulch is seeming to keep the soil went and keeping watering even and less frequent during the hotter days. For the most part the weather has been in low to mid 80's with occasionally hitting 90. This will soon change I am sure! :)
As for the failures, once again I failed to grow cucumbers. I have had about two small pickling cucumbers but that's about it. The leaves were also getting a spotty, mildew look. So after some research I add some baking soda and water. Unfortunately I added too much baking soda and also kept the leaves wet when the heat came. Needless to say, I totally burned my leaves to the point, I had to remove a good bit of them. They are starting to come back, but very slowly and not a lot of cucumbers as of yet.
I do see the starts of jalapenos and tomatoes in the making, and I'm hoping to have a descent growth for these. Next year I would like to add the mix that Ronnie from the Small Town Gardener, added to each plant during planting.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Soil Admentments, foilage spray and compost tea!
Now that I am really trying to build up my soil and not flush out the good nutrients with synthetic fertilizers I really needed some professional help. Ronnie from The Small Town Gardener sent me a message with what he does, and I could see it being useful in my garden. Here is what he wrote me:
RONNIE: OK here is what i do to my beds I also buy store bought compost and buy manure from local farms ( you can find them pretty easy on craigslist just search manure) but do not use wood chips in the soil only on top of the soil when it started getting hot because wood chips need nitrogen to break down and they will rob your plants of it if it is in the soil..as for the amendments I use in the bed I use
dolomite lime I buy mine from the farm and feed store but you can find it most places but make sure its Dolomite lime and not Hydrated lime Hydrated lime .. is the wrong stuff I have seen people use it but it is for your yard Trust me I did that before I learned the difference please never use hydrated lime in the garden ... it causes more harm than good.....put that bag far away from your garden beds. use it on your lawn and it will be great for that but not your veggies
the thing with lime in a vegetable garden is you need a 2:1 ratio...2 parts lime : 1 part magnesium..... that's what dolomitic lime is. It's that combination that works properly for a garden /plant situation. always keep in mind you always need magnesium to break the lime into a plant happy form. That’s why so many people think that adding Epsom salts to the soil is a great idea ... what they don't realize it's the combination of whatever lime or calcium naturally present in the soil that really does the trick...it's not just the Epsom salt alone that is showing results... most soils have plenty of calcium present ... even the worst soils have natural calcium present . that does not mean you don’t need Epsom salt I am just saying that its not the only thing working its magic
first off I add 4-5 cups of dolomite lime to by beds about a week or so before I start planting that way it has some time to start its breaking down process then when I am ready to plant I use espoma garden tone 2 cups(I buy mine at home depot 10 bucks a bag)... a little bit of Epsom salts(magnesium) 1/2 cup ( I get this at Walmart for 3 bucks a bag ,and just a tiny bit of dry molasses 1/4 cup ( this I also get at the farm and feed store it is about 10 bucks a bag here and a tiny bit of rock phosphate 1/4 cup ( I also buy this at the farm feed store its about 20 bucks a bag for a 50 pound bag ... 1/4 cup dolomite lime...and 2 cups green sand ( green sand has many trace minerals and helps keep the soil from compacting read up on its benefits you will be amazed!! this I also get at the farm and feed store it is very cheap at 10 bucks for a 50 pound bag mix all this together in a 5 gallon bucket.... add 50% compost. Put 2 cups of this mix in the planting hole. dig it around a bit this will work with everything you plant them in..... then middle of the year do the same thing just scratch the amendments around the plants into the soil about 4 inches from the base of the stalk as for compost tea I try and use it once a week I have a video on how i make mine and its very simple also when its done brewing sometimes I add fish emulsion I don’t like adding it while its brewing because it stinks and the cats love it and will try and drink it ...also once a week I like to take my sprayer ( one gallon sprayer I bought at home depot for 10 bucks) and mix a few tablespoons of unsulfered molasses and water from my rain barrel and spray the plants with it you can also do the same with Epsom salt and water just make sure its not tap water if you have to use tap water let it set out over night before using it I know this sounds like a lot but its not the amendments are a once a year purchase of about 50 bucks but if you look at the cost of something like miracle grow for the year which is what I used in the past it cost me almost 150 dollars and it didn’t do nearly as well and it kills the soil this way you are adding lots of beneficial amendments back to the soil and you will notice how rich your soil will be and how green your plants are ..and as for things like dynamite mater magic there will be no need for this if you use the things I listed now for things like bone meal and blood meal that is fine to add as well it wont hurt anything it will also add to the soil just read the package on those and add them when you are adding the dolomite lime the week or so before planting........hope this helps you if you have any questions just let me know I am no expert I am just telling you what I use and so far I am extremely happy with how things are growing here.
RONNIE: OK here is what i do to my beds I also buy store bought compost and buy manure from local farms ( you can find them pretty easy on craigslist just search manure) but do not use wood chips in the soil only on top of the soil when it started getting hot because wood chips need nitrogen to break down and they will rob your plants of it if it is in the soil..as for the amendments I use in the bed I use
dolomite lime I buy mine from the farm and feed store but you can find it most places but make sure its Dolomite lime and not Hydrated lime Hydrated lime .. is the wrong stuff I have seen people use it but it is for your yard Trust me I did that before I learned the difference please never use hydrated lime in the garden ... it causes more harm than good.....put that bag far away from your garden beds. use it on your lawn and it will be great for that but not your veggies
the thing with lime in a vegetable garden is you need a 2:1 ratio...2 parts lime : 1 part magnesium..... that's what dolomitic lime is. It's that combination that works properly for a garden /plant situation. always keep in mind you always need magnesium to break the lime into a plant happy form. That’s why so many people think that adding Epsom salts to the soil is a great idea ... what they don't realize it's the combination of whatever lime or calcium naturally present in the soil that really does the trick...it's not just the Epsom salt alone that is showing results... most soils have plenty of calcium present ... even the worst soils have natural calcium present . that does not mean you don’t need Epsom salt I am just saying that its not the only thing working its magic
first off I add 4-5 cups of dolomite lime to by beds about a week or so before I start planting that way it has some time to start its breaking down process then when I am ready to plant I use espoma garden tone 2 cups(I buy mine at home depot 10 bucks a bag)... a little bit of Epsom salts(magnesium) 1/2 cup ( I get this at Walmart for 3 bucks a bag ,and just a tiny bit of dry molasses 1/4 cup ( this I also get at the farm and feed store it is about 10 bucks a bag here and a tiny bit of rock phosphate 1/4 cup ( I also buy this at the farm feed store its about 20 bucks a bag for a 50 pound bag ... 1/4 cup dolomite lime...and 2 cups green sand ( green sand has many trace minerals and helps keep the soil from compacting read up on its benefits you will be amazed!! this I also get at the farm and feed store it is very cheap at 10 bucks for a 50 pound bag mix all this together in a 5 gallon bucket.... add 50% compost. Put 2 cups of this mix in the planting hole. dig it around a bit this will work with everything you plant them in..... then middle of the year do the same thing just scratch the amendments around the plants into the soil about 4 inches from the base of the stalk as for compost tea I try and use it once a week I have a video on how i make mine and its very simple also when its done brewing sometimes I add fish emulsion I don’t like adding it while its brewing because it stinks and the cats love it and will try and drink it ...also once a week I like to take my sprayer ( one gallon sprayer I bought at home depot for 10 bucks) and mix a few tablespoons of unsulfered molasses and water from my rain barrel and spray the plants with it you can also do the same with Epsom salt and water just make sure its not tap water if you have to use tap water let it set out over night before using it I know this sounds like a lot but its not the amendments are a once a year purchase of about 50 bucks but if you look at the cost of something like miracle grow for the year which is what I used in the past it cost me almost 150 dollars and it didn’t do nearly as well and it kills the soil this way you are adding lots of beneficial amendments back to the soil and you will notice how rich your soil will be and how green your plants are ..and as for things like dynamite mater magic there will be no need for this if you use the things I listed now for things like bone meal and blood meal that is fine to add as well it wont hurt anything it will also add to the soil just read the package on those and add them when you are adding the dolomite lime the week or so before planting........hope this helps you if you have any questions just let me know I am no expert I am just telling you what I use and so far I am extremely happy with how things are growing here.
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