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Thread: 2014 Gardening Grow Log

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    United States Avalon Member Ahnung-quay's Avatar
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    Default Re: 2014 Gardening Grow Log

    Victory gardens; victory over TPTB/TPTW!

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    United States Honored, Retired Member. Ron passed in October 2022.
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    Default Re: 2014 Gardening Grow Log

    Quote Posted by Ahnung-quay (here)
    Victory gardens; victory over TPTB/TPTW!

    Those who have food in their tummy will be much harder to manipulate.

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    United States Avalon Member Zaya's Avatar
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    Default Re: 2014 Gardening Grow Log

    For those who are avid gardeners... is it too late to start my summer garden?
    "The only wisdom is in knowing that you know nothing." -Socrates

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    United States Honored, Retired Member. Ron passed in October 2022.
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    Default Re: 2014 Gardening Grow Log

    Quote Posted by Zaya (here)
    For those who are avid gardeners... is it too late to start my summer garden?
    Hot weather veggies must be planted soon. Look on the seed package or label to find how many days are needed to reach maturity. Then count the number of days remaining before the average early frost date for your zip code.

    Some veggies do fine in colder weather. For example, planting dates in Virginia are here. Notice that kale, onions, garlic and spinach can be planted very late and do fine in cold weather.

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    Canada Avalon Member Nenuphar's Avatar
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    Default Re: 2014 Gardening Grow Log

    Here is a list of heirloom seed sources in Canada:

    http://www.seeds.ca/rl/rl.php

    My favourites include Salt Spring Seeds, Annapolis Seeds, Heritage Harvest Seed, and The Cottage Gardener.

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    United States Honored, Retired Member. Ron passed in October 2022.
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    Default Re: 2014 Gardening Grow Log

    I've upgraded my 4' x 16' raised bed by increasing the depth to 12". Corn will be planted tomorrow in 16 squares (one 4x4 section), followed next month by vegetables suitable for the season. The 90 day corn should be ready to pick September 17th, 30 days before the local average first frost date of Oct 17.

    Here is what I did to build a permanent, non-toxic raised bed:

    Sixteen cast concrete sections were used to build this 4'x12' by 1' deep raised bed. A grid was added to experiment with Mel Bartholomew's Square Foot Gardening method. The fence wire used on each side of the raised bed is hinged horizontally, 3 feet above the concrete, to provide access and to keep chickens and other animals out of the bed. The PVC/fence wire structure could also be used as framework for a greenhouse.

    (Click on images to enlarge.)





    Constructing the form

    A wooden form was made from 2x4 and a 2x6 lumber. Same volume as one $5.00 80 lb bag of Sakrete.

    Screws are used to assemble/disassemble the form, allowing removal of the finished product.

    One 4 foot piece of 3/8” rebar is placed in the concrete when the form is half full of concrete.

    The form is setup for using short sections of ½” diameter PEK pipe at each end and in the middle. PEK is removed from the concrete after the concrete is removed from the form, leaving 2 holes in the concrete where short pieces of rebar can be inserted vertically to lock the concrete sections together. The hole in the center of the concrete can be used to fasten and stabilize a trellis.

    A short piece of vinyl flashing is put into the form before pouring to prevent casting a ridge in the finished product where the 2x4 and 2x6 are joined.

    The form can be removed after 24 hours, but 48 hours would be better. The concrete sections can be used to construct the raised bed immediately after removing the form if it is handled gently and not dropped or stressed. Concrete takes many days to reach almost full strength.

    Last edited by Ron Mauer Sr; 21st June 2014 at 20:29.

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    Palestinian Territory Avalon Member thunder24's Avatar
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    Default Re: 2014 Gardening Grow Log

    awesome ron, mel has great ideas with square foot gardening, been doing it for a few years now....Rock on Wayne, Rock on Ron!!!
    OBADIAH 1:21
    The Good things in life

    "...where ever you go, there you are..."

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    United States Honored, Retired Member. Ron passed in October 2022.
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    Default Re: 2014 Gardening Grow Log

    Look at what was found hiding under some very big leaves today.

    Click image for larger version

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    And I thought I had a brown thumb.

    More on the way.

    These cucumbers are the 1st harvest from 2 plants growing in one Earth Box.
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    Last edited by Ron Mauer Sr; 2nd July 2014 at 01:24.

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    Default Re: 2014 Gardening Grow Log

    And so early in the season even! I'm very impressed and DO post updates here on whatever else you find under leaves as the season continues!

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    Default Re: 2014 Gardening Grow Log

    05 July 2014

    I’m having some success compared to my previous gardens. But if I compare my organic garden with two other gardens in the neighborhood where commercial fertilizers are used, they have much better results.

    The growing medium is peat moss, compost and vermiculite in approximately equal amounts, as is recommended in Square Foot Gardening. Perhaps the compost I used was poor quality. Wish I knew.





    Ghost peppers, the worlds 2nd or 3rd hottest, depending on who answers the question.




    Round garden has Kennebec potatoes, sweet potatoes, bell peppers, hot peppers, tomatoes and sweet potatoes. Both potatoes types are tied for the prize for best performance. Very little weeding needed in the containers, but weeds and grass take over around the containers. Next season I should lay down some type of grass/weed barrier underneath the containers.

    Last edited by Ron Mauer Sr; 5th July 2014 at 21:14.

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    Default Re: 2014 Gardening Grow Log

    Hi Ron. What kind of fertilizers ARE you using?

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    Default Re: 2014 Gardening Grow Log

    Quote Posted by blufire (here)
    Hi Ron. What kind of fertilizers ARE you using?
    I've been doing some watering with "steeped" compost tea. A few scoops of organic compost (a variety of brands) is put into a 5 gallon bucket of water for 24 hours, aerated with an aquarium air stone. Similar to this video, but I've added aeration:



    I do not think low qualty compost is the issue because I'm using compost from a variety of sources.

    Watering is not the issue. The containers get watered often. Overwatering is not possible because the containers have overflow holes.

    All plants get full sun.

    The neighborhood gardens used for comparison are conventional row gardens using commercial fertilizers. I'm no master gardener, but my understanding is that commercial petroleum based fertilizers nurture plants directly and harm the soil. Compost nurtures the soil, which in turn feeds the plants.
    Last edited by Ron Mauer Sr; 5th July 2014 at 22:25.

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    Default Re: 2014 Gardening Grow Log

    I am headed out to do evening milking and chores but I wanted to take the time to ask you what specifically is in the compost you are using to make the ‘tea’.

    Does it contain manure of any type and if so about what percentage?

    I am trying to establish your nitrogen content. Looking at the plants in the containers in the fenced garden area I can tell by the color of the foliage that that definitely need more nitrogen

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    United States Honored, Retired Member. Ron passed in October 2022.
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    Default Re: 2014 Gardening Grow Log

    Quote Posted by blufire (here)
    I am headed out to do evening milking and chores but I wanted to take the time to ask you what specifically is in the compost you are using to make the ‘tea’.

    Does it contain manure of any type and if so about what percentage?

    I am trying to establish your nitrogen content. Looking at the plants in the containers in the fenced garden area I can tell by the color of the foliage that that definitely need more nitrogen
    Hi blufire,

    The nitrogen content is unknown. It is not specified on the bag of commercial compost that I still have.

    Some plants have a yellow tint, some more than others. Watermelon and muskmelon are the worst performers.

    Planting a cover crop of legumes in the fall may help add nitrogen. Do you have any recommendations about adding nitrogen now, at this stage of the growing season here in Virginia?

    Thanks, Ron
    Last edited by Ron Mauer Sr; 6th July 2014 at 13:01.

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    Default Re: 2014 Gardening Grow Log

    18 July 2014

    Learning how to garden is a very slow process!!

    Kennebec potatoes still growing. I thought these should be expiring by now. Sweet potatoes seem to be doing good. The weeds are doing great. Next year I need to re-arrange plants so the weed wacker can be used more effectively.



    I did harvest some cucumbers before the leaves turned yellow.



    Many small green peppers in here but they are well camouflaged.



    Only four bell peppers in one entire Earth Box. One or more nutrients must be missing from my soil.



    There is still hope for half of my Triple L climbing tomatoes. They should turn red soon.



    No complaints about my cherry tomatoes. I have been snacking on these.



    Got a few watermelon. Maybe this variety is supposed to be that small?


    Cantaloupe are alive but not growing much.



    Ghost peppers (#3 of world’s hottest) seem to be doing OK. They are normally very slow to grow and these were planted late.



    I’ve pulled the yellow squash plants. Picked 3 fruit before the bugs got the plant. I put the plant into a bucket of water for a few days to kill them. Looks like some bugs left behind have invaded my watermelons.
    Last edited by Ron Mauer Sr; 20th July 2014 at 09:34.

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    Default Re: 2014 Gardening Grow Log

    Great thread! I like seeing what other people are growing and the different methods they use.

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    Belgium Avalon Member Violet's Avatar
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    Default Re: 2014 Gardening Grow Log

    When we're installed, I'm going to have to work on the small patch of backyard we have, primarily to make it look decent again. Apparently the previous owners did not do anything with it and it has gone to waste. Now it's full of long weeds.

    I have no garden experience. These are my starting questions:

    - What machinery and basic tools will I need for gardening? Basic.

    - I love plants but I don't really understand them very well, I think. When their leaves start going yellow, it's seems the end is near and there seems to be nothing I can do to save them. I did not grow them myself, got them from the florist. What I use is simple tap water. Where did things go wrong?

    - I want the new garden to be clean for take off, so how do I take care of the weeds? They've grown quite a bit. I hope I can post a picture once I get the chance. I read about newspaper covering for 18 months but does it take that long to "heal" it?

    - Since I don't know what's been happening in the past to this small patch of earth, I'm not sure if I can confidently grow food in it. I think I'll take small containers.

    - Hopefully compatible with my climate, these are things I have in mind: small apple tree, olive tree, tomatoes, potatoes.

    - I'd like to cover one wall with ivy but people say I shouldn't because it's a lot of work to maintain. Is it? Can I control it from going to other walls or to the neighbours? I really like the look of a wall covered with leaves.

    - And I wanted to put a bigger tree in the back corner but one of my neighbours has a tree hanging a bit over my garden, so basically, I already have a big tree. I know autumn is going to be very fun, but hey: I get a tree in return. Should my neigbours appear not so nature-engaged, I'm going to have to take care of this tree as it grows. At least as much as possible from my position. Is that even possible? Again, will hopefully post some images soon.

    - I also have to think of securing the walls - with thorny bushes? - because some of the neighbours have been jumping in when the house was empty...

    - My biggest challenge is going to be working with limited space and making the most of out. After all, we'd like a place for lounging in summer, for the kids to play and for some nature to have a home.
    Last edited by Violet; 15th August 2014 at 19:09.

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    Default Re: 2014 Gardening Grow Log



    Many organic gardeners have also love for essential oils .
    Here is how you can use essential oils in your garden to:

    ◾repel insect pest

    ◾suppress fungus – the cause of around 85% of plant diseases

    ◾dissuade pets from ruining your garden – for example, did you know cats hate the smell of rosemary?

    ◾attract pollinators

    ◾make your own mosquito repellents

    ◾and much more!

    http://www.naturallivingideas.com/9-...l-oils-garden/
    Last edited by heyokah; 15th September 2014 at 15:48.

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    Default Re: 2014 Gardening Grow Log

    i know this may be late in arriving but when i have bug probs i use Dr. Bronner's peppermint soap in a mixed solution of water and peppermint soap, seems to work ok not as good as the real thing but it is organic

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