Garden 2015

[robsdak]

this is it. i tilled last weekend and planted this weekend. 7 rows planted. from left to right.

broccoli
cauliflower
napa cabbage
brussel sprouts
turnip greens (seed)
green beans (seed)
mustard greens (seed)

http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo102/robsdak/garden%20%20bees%202015/100_0482_zpsh4kwnojo.jpg
(http://s366.photobucket.com/user/robsdak/media/garden%20%20bees%202015/100_0482_zpsh4kwnojo.jpg.html)

back corner there is a row of bunch onions and garlic.

http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo102/robsdak/garden%20%20bees%202015/100_0484_zpsdefizmxi.jpg (http://s366.photobucket.com/user/robsdak/media/garden%20%20bees%202015/100_0484_zpsdefizmxi.jpg.html)

nothing else ready yet. i know, i am jumping the gun on the green beans. i couldn't stop myself. i got into it and before i knew it, they were in the ground. we will see.:)

[bacpacker]

Where you are, I bet they do fine.

According to the signs, yesterday thru Wednesday are excellent days for root crops. If the ground drys up enough I am planttng potatoes, onions, leeks, and beets tomorrow or Tuesday. Cabbage, kale, spinach, and lettuce will go in about 2 weekz.

[Vodin]

Got 12-22 more days till we reach the last frost date... I am jealous robsdak!

[realist]

I start on mine tomorrow. Its early but I will be putting up hoops to protect the plants. I hope to get a couple of different plantings this spring and summer.

[robsdak]

Where you are, I bet they do fine.

According to the signs, yesterday thru Wednesday are excellent days for root crops. If the ground drys up enough I am planttng potatoes, onions, leeks, and beets tomorrow or Tuesday. Cabbage, kale, spinach, and lettuce will go in about 2 weekz.

i am jumping the gun just a bit. only one that won't make through a freeze/frost are the green beans. wasted $3.50 in seeds, but ahead IF it doesn't.


Got 12-22 more days till we reach the last frost date... I am jealous robsdak!

LOL nothing to be jealous of really. :) different geography. BTW the house to my right 'might' come up for sale. D I V O R C E Sale. LOL he's a good guy, she's a piece o' work.


I start on mine tomorrow. Its early but I will be putting up hoops to protect the plants. I hope to get a couple of different plantings this spring and summer.

that's the reason, well one, that i like to plant early. i can garden year round, but planted early i can get 2 real good gardens and then a fall garden, which i didn't do last year. i was feeling puny at the time i was going to plant.

[Sniper-T]

I have 7 weeks left before my 'final frost' date. Brought my green house in on the weekend along with some posts and soil. Will be starting my seeds this week.

[robsdak]

I have 7 weeks left before my 'final frost' date. Brought my green house in on the weekend along with some posts and soil. Will be starting my seeds this week.

man, 7 wks is a long time. if everything goes well, i will be starting to harvest a few things. just saying. :)

[Sniper-T]

It is looking like an early spring so I may try to cheat a little, but I'll have to make sure to be ready to cover some things

[Vodin]

Stevia, Brussels Sprouts and White Long Onion sprouts have appeared. Planted them last week in egg containers and placed them on the netting that covers my Aquaponic stock tank. Also got seeds in a container that are starting to sprout. Bought 1/2" PVC to build a greenhouse frame over my raised beds for a longer grow season. Final frost last year was March 30th.

This year going bonzo on the garden to get a habit started.

[robsdak]

here it is a week later.

right of the picture. turnips, green beans and mustard's are coming up.

http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo102/robsdak/100_0512_zps7lxb7lbt.jpg (http://s366.photobucket.com/user/robsdak/media/100_0512_zps7lxb7lbt.jpg.html)

[bacpacker]

Love to see the green "lines" coming up.

We had rain every day last week, so nothing is in yet. Forecast for this week is nice for the next two days then rain again from Wed on out. Looking doubtful i'll get anything in this week either.

[ak474u]

Finally planted strawberries this weekend. I'm really late, but they'd be dead now if I hadn't been late due to the late ridiculous snow ice and rain. My back yard is a mud hole in spots.

[Socalman]

Here in So. Cal I have been very late getting things in. Just today got some tomato plants and russian kale transplanted. We are in some serious drought conditions here and I am looking at a very small garden this year.

[robsdak]

Here in So. Cal I have been very late getting things in. Just today got some tomato plants and russian kale transplanted. We are in some serious drought conditions here and I am looking at a very small garden this year.

come East, then South young man, plenty of LAND and WATER... LOL

[Domeguy]

Out here in southern middle TN, we have had a solid week of rain. Everything is a muddy mess. Too wet to do anything.

[realist]

I just planted a bunch of peppers, chili's and tomatoes. Going to working in the garden all day tomorrow. I have 10 yards of planters mix coming for the raised beds. Gona be sore tomorrow night........maybe a little Irish in honor of St Paddies day and a cigar on the deck.

[bacpacker]

it's finally started drying out a little. I was able to disc part of the garden tonight. If I get by with no rain tomorrow, I'll be putting taters, onions, beets, & carrots in the ground.

Picked up some Blackberry, Raspberry, & figs over the weekend. I'll get them in as soon as possible.

[robsdak]

i went yesterday and tilled my buddies place. easy as walking behind a Troy-Bilt Bronco CRT.

[Sniper-T]

Given our shorter than everyones growing season, I often 'cheat' by planting plants rather than seeds. ut since I want to heritage my plants... I have to plant my own seeds, so I start a bunch of things indoors, in my little greenhouse.

Which I did two weeks ago and here is where I currently am:

First planting:

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt140/Sniper-T/garden/0404151058a_zpsgd8k70b0.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Sniper-T/media/garden/0404151058a_zpsgd8k70b0.jpg.html)

repotted first planting:

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt140/Sniper-T/garden/0404151142b_zpsbqwvju1k.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Sniper-T/media/garden/0404151142b_zpsbqwvju1k.jpg.html)

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt140/Sniper-T/garden/0404151142a_zpsbx57tvbr.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Sniper-T/media/garden/0404151142a_zpsbx57tvbr.jpg.html)

[Sniper-T]

second planting:
http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt140/Sniper-T/garden/0404151227a_zpswkkkvukw.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Sniper-T/media/garden/0404151227a_zpswkkkvukw.jpg.html)

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt140/Sniper-T/garden/0404151227b_zpscu0tl00b.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Sniper-T/media/garden/0404151227b_zpscu0tl00b.jpg.html)

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt140/Sniper-T/garden/0404151227c_zpszwb8smpf.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Sniper-T/media/garden/0404151227c_zpszwb8smpf.jpg.html)

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt140/Sniper-T/garden/0404151227d_zpszpszpeia.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Sniper-T/media/garden/0404151227d_zpszpszpeia.jpg.html)

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt140/Sniper-T/garden/0404151227e_zpsear0attn.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Sniper-T/media/garden/0404151227e_zpsear0attn.jpg.html)

[Sniper-T]

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt140/Sniper-T/garden/0404151226b_zpszigqpdqs.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Sniper-T/media/garden/0404151226b_zpszigqpdqs.jpg.html)

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt140/Sniper-T/garden/0404151226a_zpsysqe08am.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Sniper-T/media/garden/0404151226a_zpsysqe08am.jpg.html)

[Sniper-T]

Moved my first generation out of the greenhouse and into the sunroom, and started the third batch:

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt140/Sniper-T/garden/0411151810a_zpsh7cxiwet.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Sniper-T/media/garden/0411151810a_zpsh7cxiwet.jpg.html)

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt140/Sniper-T/garden/0411151810c_zpsy3tasik3.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Sniper-T/media/garden/0411151810c_zpsy3tasik3.jpg.html)

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt140/Sniper-T/garden/0411151810b_zpsesivdlso.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Sniper-T/media/garden/0411151810b_zpsesivdlso.jpg.html)

typically I don't plant hybrids, but the picture on that packet lured me in.

[realist]

Looks good. Wife called last night and told me we fed the garden to the rabbits..........when I get home I have got to put up a fence now. Up until this year the rabbits were not a problem due to my dog. He is getting old.....like me and can't run them off, either can I. So i guess it is time to fence in the garden.

[jamesneuen]

Can go the cheap route and just go to the local hair salon or barbershop and get hair clippings to throw out there. We did that 3x a year growing up and never had an issue with squirrels or rabbits.

[Sniper-T]

If you bury some Lib-tards up to their necks, you could have a renewable resourse...

[Sniper-T]

I repotted a bunch more of my seedlings this weekend...

from the weekend, my corner of the sunroom:

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt140/Sniper-T/garden/0418151842b_zpsxj1vbtpa.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Sniper-T/media/garden/0418151842b_zpsxj1vbtpa.jpg.html)

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt140/Sniper-T/garden/0418151842c_zpsvibzc5hr.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Sniper-T/media/garden/0418151842c_zpsvibzc5hr.jpg.html)

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt140/Sniper-T/garden/0418151842a_zpsv7kr0sbw.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Sniper-T/media/garden/0418151842a_zpsv7kr0sbw.jpg.html)

[bacpacker]

No pics, but got my tomatos and some peppers repotted. All my fruit trees, blueberries, and concord grapes are in full bloom or just past. Taters, onions, beets, and parsnips are all up. Got a bunch of various herbs, lettuce, spinach, and strawberries planted.
On the down side I have lost 2 of my 3 cherry trees. To what I am not sure. My third one has been worn down to a nub twice now by deer rub's, but it has came back and looks decent. I also lost one of my three pawpaws.

[helomech]

A deer messes up my trees and I will be eating backstrap. I don't care if it is deer season or not.

Here is a pic of one of my 24 blueberry bushes.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/10355381_10200489677680707_7637127483439533891_n_z psbuywwrgg.jpg (http://s266.photobucket.com/user/helomech1973/media/10355381_10200489677680707_7637127483439533891_n_z psbuywwrgg.jpg.html)

[ak474u]

I've repotted about 100 maters peppers and melons. I have a tray of 72 left to do this week. It needs to quit raining every 2 days so I can get some stuff planted.

[Socalman]

A few years ago I stopped purchasing hybrid seeds. Been saving the seed from each year's crop from many veggies, not all. Today I will be planting pinto beans. Last year was my first year growing them. I had checked the catalog of several companies and never found them listed so I just planted some of the bulk pintos my wife had purchased at the store. They grew and we harvested several pounds for our use and I saved enough to go in this year.

[bacpacker]

I've done the same with Kidney beans. They turned out good. I now have 5-8 various dry bean varieties to choose from. I generally grow just one or two per year. Always looking for new (to me) old types. I love beans.

[Socalman]

We have just recently had a week of unseasonably hot temps, high 80's to mid 90's, this past week and some of my lettuce is starting to bolt. At quite a bit of salad the last few days. Fortunately a cooling trend is in progress so I may be in luck.

[bacpacker]

I was late getting my spina h and lettuce e out this year. We are expecting a week of 80s so it most likely won't products e much.

[Sniper-T]

three varieties of blueberries, low bush (full of buds), hyscap (flowering) and pink lemonade (doing nothing!)

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt140/Sniper-T/0503151157a_zpsyvapgdbw.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Sniper-T/media/0503151157a_zpsyvapgdbw.jpg.html)

All planted the same time last year.

- - - Updated - - -

And for the Earliest time EVER!!! I started planting today.

Beets and carrots are in the ground (containers)

3 weeks before our usual last frost.

Even if they freeze out, I figure all I've lost is a few bucks worth of seeds.

I'm still waiting to plant my plants!

[Vodin]

Been setting up a system in the backyard. I saw a few methods and combined them to fit my needs. I built a PVC 1/2 tunnel green house.

http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y534/Vodin136/th_IMG_3780_zpsjr0mevue.jpg (http://s1279.photobucket.com/user/Vodin136/media/IMG_3780_zpsjr0mevue.jpg.html)

The greenhouse is a container garden.

http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y534/Vodin136/th_IMG_4279_zps6idrzonf.jpg (http://s1279.photobucket.com/user/Vodin136/media/IMG_4279_zps6idrzonf.jpg.html)

The containers are set up to wick water into the 5 gallon bucket when it is needed.

http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y534/Vodin136/th_IMG_4023_zpsaziveyqj.jpg (http://s1279.photobucket.com/user/Vodin136/media/IMG_4023_zpsaziveyqj.jpg.html)

http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y534/Vodin136/th_IMG_3899_zpsitm4lngc.jpg (http://s1279.photobucket.com/user/Vodin136/media/IMG_3899_zpsitm4lngc.jpg.html)

- - - Updated - - -



So far I have everything planted for the year except tomatoes, peppers and a few herbs. When they reach a certain point in growth I will transplant them and move them out of the green house. Hopefully the hail season will have passed at that point. And it still might snow this year. This was on 4-10-2015.

http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y534/Vodin136/th_IMG_3969_zpsc2xylgi5.jpg (http://s1279.photobucket.com/user/Vodin136/media/IMG_3969_zpsc2xylgi5.jpg.html)

[Sniper-T]

I'm planting... but expecting to lose everything direct sown... I'm 3 weeks before my last sched frost. Cross your fingers!

All my seedlings are safe in my sunroom! and doing well!

[bacpacker]

Im guessing your ground is still pretty cool. Your plants may not be up in three weeks. You timing may be right on.


Vodin, I am thinking about building something similar as a season extender. hopefully on both ends.

[Vodin]

backpacker,

A real important factor is that I have a row of buckets that contain water. The warm up during the day and release the warmth at night. I cant afford the time to brainstorm a heater set up. Been thinking a water heater set up from a fish tank. But need to ponder it more.

[ak474u]

My tomatoes are in the ground, and NOT GROWING. They seem stalled out they're helathy looking, but not progressing. However, we have about 10 tomato plants that have appeared from the compost bins in the keyholes of the raised beds, and they're doing well. Like, about to set fruit. What gives? Tomatoes I want aren't doing well, and the volunteers are thriving. Wtf?

[Sniper-T]

Vodin, how about a simple block heater and a reostat?

[bacpacker]

I would think, as long as you get adequate sun to heat the water, and have enough mass the buckets would work well. Water is a great source/sink for thermal transfer.
How tall are your arches? I have been debating 4' or 7' centers. Space to heat vs room to grow.

[Sniper-T]

Vodin... I've been looking at your green house again, and am considering setting up something similar next year. I will need a batt operated heater and fan system. preferably off solar... ideas???

[Vodin]

Vodin, how about a simple block heater and a reostat?

I wasnt aware of a block heater outside of an engine block. Please enlighten me. :)

As far as a Rheostat is similar to a pot (potentiometer) thought those were kinda old school and everything would be onboard in a build.

Would you inform me of what you are thinking of?

[Vodin]

Green house heating possibilities.

Dig deep to the 4'-5' point and line and line the pit with 4" corrugated pipe. Have the pipes go above ground so you can blow air through them on one side and it will go through and exit the opposite side. At that depth the earths temp is a constant ~55 Fahrenheit and by moving the air on one side it can blow out the other side and carry the temp with it.

I cant do that since my raised garden bed is on the easement line on my lot.

My current idea that I came up with is placing submersible fish tank heaters in each water trough. Set the temps to about 80 Fahrenheit this will allow the water temp to remain constant heat will rise off of the surface of the water. The buckets will wick the water and this will 'trick' the seeds into thinking it is time.

The fish tank heaters would be low wattage since the water troughs only contain 5 gallons of water. So the electrical usage should be low. And if your going that far might as well place goldfish in the water troughs.. but that raises more issue than I need at the moment.

Water heaters with a temp setting are the best that I have pondered into thought at this time.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/25W-Adjustable-Aquarium-Heater-Anti-Explosion-Submersible-Fish-Tank-Water-/291417756714?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43d9da142a

[Sniper-T]

sorry. up here in the north, we use block heaters to be able to start our vehicles. google them. easily converted to 12 V, using a rheostat, you can control the heat.

[Vodin]

Sniper-T said
"sorry. up here in the north, we use block heaters to be able to start our vehicles. google them. easily converted to 12 V, using a rheostat, you can control the heat. "



Thought the block heaters were built into the engine block or oil pan. Did not know they were separate. I will research it further thank you.

[Sniper-T]

yeah, no... it's a small, fist size piece that can be added to anything, including a metal 5 gal pail...

[Vodin]

I would think, as long as you get adequate sun to heat the water, and have enough mass the buckets would work well. Water is a great source/sink for thermal transfer.
How tall are your arches? I have been debating 4' or 7' centers. Space to heat vs room to grow.

My arches are 6' to the fence line. (HOA peeps can get nasty if they see stuff) My raised garden is aabout a 1' high and the pots sit on pallets so I Lose another 6". The pallets sit on about a 6" composted pile that I am working into the soil of the raised bed. The I need to bend over to commandeer the way across the green house.

Go with a 6'-7' height on your arch.

[Sniper-T]

It has begun... snipped my first lettuce and beet leaves from the garden of the year...

Let the bounty begin!

block heater:
http://www.hyundaishop.com/images/products/detail/C002AzeraEngineBlockHeater.jpg

or a little bigger, trough heater:
http://enduranceridestuff.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/tank_deicer.jpg

^ that one is already a solar powered one.

check out this:

http://www.ranchtanks.com/files/Horse_journal_ad-1.pdf

and this:

http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/WaterHeating/SteveTank/SteveTank.htm