DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
The Basement
HTML https://thebasement.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: Horticulture
*****************************************************
#Post#: 5331--------------------------------------------------
Re: Finally getting started
DIR By: guest13
Date: June 18, 2020, 6:43 am
---------------------------------------------------------
SO. Many changes in the meanwhile.
Decided not to go with wooden planter boxes. They don't last
very well. Bought 15 approximately 60 gallon food grade
polyethylene barrels---used to import pickles from India---cut
them in half, bored drainage holes in the bottoms, filled them
with the garden mixture I mentioned before. Cheap, durable and
better than more plastic in the solid waste stream.
Seemed like it took forever to stop frosting overnight! Was
finally able to get plants in soil outside on 13MAY20. Plants I
had started inside under lights were getting way overgrown and
rootbound. Most survived and are now doing well, except the
cucunumbers---had to buy replacements. Everything direct-sown
(peas, beans, potatoes, carrots) came up and are doing well.
Planted several different herbs in railtop boxes. Dabnagged
birds ate all the sprouts! Should've covered them with chicken
wire. Oh well. Live and learn.
Big garden cart, dump wagon, bike trailer cart, hose reel cart,
wheelbarrow---ALL their tires are now Slimed and holding air. A
bit pricey but better than having to drag out the compressor
every time I want to use them.
I'm liking these half-barrel planters. MUCH easier to manage
weeds than planting in the ground. Getting down on my knees to
weed just isn't an option anymore. These I can do standing up.
Spent a couple hours at it yesterday, got almost all of them
done.
Had some cool nights recently, but overall, the weather has been
good. Hope it continues.
#Post#: 5332--------------------------------------------------
Re: Finally getting started
DIR By: AJ
Date: June 18, 2020, 1:32 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: Danocoustic link ---
>
> SO. Many changes in the meanwhile.
>
> Decided not to go with wooden planter boxes. They don't last
very well. Bought 15 approximately 60 gallon food grade
polyethylene barrels---used to import pickles from India---cut
them in half, bored drainage holes in the bottoms, filled them
with the garden mixture I mentioned before. Cheap, durable and
better than more plastic in the solid waste stream.
>
> Seemed like it took forever to stop frosting overnight! Was
finally able to get plants in soil outside on 13MAY20. Plants I
had started inside under lights were getting way overgrown and
rootbound. Most survived and are now doing well, except the
cucunumbers---had to buy replacements. Everything direct-sown
(peas, beans, potatoes, carrots) came up and are doing well.
>
> Planted several different herbs in railtop boxes. Dabnagged
birds ate all the sprouts! Should've covered them with chicken
wire. Oh well. Live and learn.
>
> Big garden cart, dump wagon, bike trailer cart, hose reel
cart, wheelbarrow---ALL their tires are now Slimed and holding
air. A bit pricey but better than having to drag out the
compressor every time I want to use them.
>
> I'm liking these half-barrel planters. MUCH easier to manage
weeds than planting in the ground. Getting down on my knees to
weed just isn't an option anymore. These I can do standing up.
Spent a couple hours at it yesterday, got almost all of them
done.
>
> Had some cool nights recently, but overall, the weather has
been good. Hope it continues.
>
--- End Quote ---
Sounds like the Danofarm is well underway. Like you saving those
barrels from the landfill too. Serves your purpose and good for
the planet as well. We’ve been in summer mode here for a month.
Meaning a day in the low 90’s is considered a blessing. Getting
hard on this old timer. Fortunately, once I am off work, I’m
good. The Lad handles the outside stuff here at Casa de Jim. But
he lives working with the plants and shrubbery anyway.
Me......I get enough heat at work in the motor rooms and
rooftops.
We won’t have a break from the heat until mid October, if we’re
lucky.
#Post#: 5702--------------------------------------------------
Re: Finally getting started
DIR By: guest13
Date: August 29, 2020, 6:31 am
---------------------------------------------------------
WELL now.
About a month later than usual, due to the late start, but the
gardens are winding down. It's been a so-so year. Some things
did quite well, some not so well. As always, I have plans for
changes next year.
One thing for sure, I'm expanding. More barrel planters, more
eavestroughs and rainwater reservoirs. My cukes suffered this
year from lack of water at a critical time. Fabricating an
irrigation system to simplify watering chores.
Not going to try growing broccoli, cauliflower or Brussels
sprouts anymore. Never works out well, and they take up a lot of
space. The first two bolted early this year, got almost nothing,
and white flies ate the sprouts' leaves almost to death. That
space can be better utilized.
Peas did quite well. Going to grow more of them. Found a variety
(Extra Early Hybrid) that does well here. Saved a fair bit of
seed.
Beans JAMMED. Green pole, purple pole and bush wax all yielded
well. Picked them down for the last time yesterday. What's still
growing will be left to dry on the vine for seed. My dry bean
varieties (Calypso, Ireland Creek Annie, scarlet runner, and
edible soy) all did pretty well. Soy is done, the rest are still
coming in. Some will be next year's seed.
Potatoes didn't do so well, but I have to admit that's my fault.
I didn't hill them at the proper time. What I did get are simply
the most delicious potatoes I've ever eaten. Grocery store spuds
can't hold a candle to these.
Tomatoes did so-so. I didn't plant enough. They like full sun,
right? I'm not so sure. The best yield I ever got was grown in
my deckside bed two years ago---it's only about 15' from the
house next door, only gets direct sun maybe 4 hours a day---but
we canned about 50 quarts that year. I now have 9 half-barrels
there. Next year that will all be maters, 3 plants per. Amish
pastes, San Marzanos, and a beefsteak variety. Maybe some lemon
drops.
Cantaloupes are starting to come in. DEE LISH US!!! WILL grow
again.
Peppers did okay. Jalapenos and cayennes yielded well, red bells
did a bit less but still okay.
Asparagus did well early on but ended all too soon.
I don't use any chemical fertilizers or bug poisons. I don't
want to eat that shit, and I won't toxify the environment. I
can't claim to be 100% organic, but who can?
Ya know---this is a lot of work. I might be better off, in a
sense, just to buy my produce at the farmer's market. But then
I'd miss out on a pursuit that brings me so much gratification.
And NOTHING tastes better than what ya growed yerself.
#Post#: 5704--------------------------------------------------
Re: Finally getting started
DIR By: AJ
Date: August 29, 2020, 7:19 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Great post Dan’l! I want to thank you for all the contributions
in this thread. I love reading this stuff. The only way hinges I
have ever been successful growing is peppers, pumpkins and
onions. I haven’t done that in 6 or 7 years though. So it’s
something that really interests me to follow you guys that do
grow things to eat.
I’m just happy when I manage to buy actually flavorful produce.
You farmers are my heroes.
#Post#: 5706--------------------------------------------------
Re: Finally getting started
DIR By: guest13
Date: August 29, 2020, 8:42 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: AJ link ---
>
> Great post Dan’l! I want to thank you for all the
contributions in this thread. I love reading this stuff. The
only way hinges I have ever been successful growing is peppers,
pumpkins and onions. I haven’t done that in 6 or 7 years though.
So it’s something that really interests me to follow you guys
that do grow things to eat.
>
> I’m just happy when I manage to buy actually flavorful
produce.
>
> You farmers are my heroes.
>
--- End Quote ---
Thanks :)
Well---"microfarmer" might be more descriptive. 34 half-barrels
and a couple dedicated beds. A few fruit trees that don't
produce much. Hoping to add another 20 half-barrels next year.
The dream is to acquire a few acres outside of town. Plant a
REAL garden. Provide for our needs and have enough to donate the
surplus to food banks. Maybe add a chicken operation. Meat birds
and layers. That's about all I can do by myself.
That's gonna take a lottery win, though. Gas station wages and
SSI won't support such.
I'm glad you enjoyed 8)
*****************************************************
Page 2 of 2
DIR Previous Page