Posted on 04/15/2016 5:16:21 PM PDT by greeneyes
I got my plots both mulched during the winter. Planted some cantaloupe seeds, habanero, cherry tomato and several cantaloupes came up. They’re looking good. Tabasco plants were dried and brown, to my surprise they started growing small plants form the bases. I have 7 or 8 a foot tall now. Been munching on asparagus the past 3 weeks or so, planted it 3 years ago, it was torture to not pick one for 2 years and let it get established. Good stuff.
Got some carrots planted a few days ago, a bunch have sprouted. I never let them mature, I like the 3 inch long baby carrots. Same for corn, need to plant some more though, didn’t get enough to suit me so far, it’s about 6 inches high.
My sister brought in some cherry tomatoes, my seeds didn’t do a thing, still hoping the Romas come up, if not I’ll have to buy some. Late I know, but I’ll live with it. Also have a dozen garlic plants going well.
I never till any more, I cover my plots with mulch about 4 to 5 inches thick, throw a few earthworms in and they till it for me. I have some large nightcrawlers in the woods 30 feet away, dirt is almost black and soft as it can be, haven’t touched a tiller in 4 years.
Off topic, but if you want worms for fishbait, or your garden, get a foot long piece of rebar and a large screwdriver. Poke the rebar into the soil, rake the screwdriver up and down a few times, watch the worms hit the surface to get away from the vibrations.
I also don’t to rows, everything stays flat. Mulch holds in moisture and acts as insulation, the bottom layer turns into fertilizer. I mulch up dead leaves in winter and make sure it’s at least 4 inches thick, I’ll never till again, the worms do it for me.
I’m also thinking about putting in a cold frame. I’ve had no success starting seeds, our greenhouse stays too cold. Too much air leakage. My cold frame years ago (another location) was madef rom a couple of old woo frame windows, a hole dug over a foot deep and lined with bricks, and a prop to keep the windows open during warmer days, facing south and the windows at a 10º angle when closed. It worked great.
I grow all organic, no chemicals at all, mulch and earthworms keep the soil in great shape.
Thank you! We have a few of those in our yard already. Fabulous!
Thanks for the Pics. Awesome!
LOL. If you knew her, and all the things we have already tried, you wouldn’t even have mentioned it. LOL
I don’t till either. I have raised beds, and I abide by organic methods for the most part with absolutely zero pesticides. I still use some slow release granules for nutrients.
When we lived in Iowa, I had a small sun room in the ground, covered by an old window. It was about 10 inches deep.
I’d never considered growing in it year round.
What do you mean by " If we do build an underground greenhouse ..." ??
Obviously , you have done some significant research already , as have I, back in my "hippy-dippy, bell-bottom " years (decades ago).
When looking at "tubebender"'s greenhouse photos , I was reminded of several other optimal items for a greenhouse :
Thermometer : preferably with a battery operated alarm system should the greenhouse get too warm/cold ,
or when you aren't immediately available, a thermocouple operated automatic vent (depending on the size of the greenhouse). A convenient place for Whiteboard/ supplies list for items that you are running short on ; that way you won't run out.
A radio for music / entertainment, to make the greenhouse a relaxing place to be ,according to a book named :" The Secret Life of Plants" ,
but also because plants seem to respond according to our emotions when near them.
I really enjoyed your pictures. Thanks for sharing them with us - sure makes me want to get outside!
80 degrees and sunny outside here today, but we're not out of the woods yet.
Five or six years ago we had a hard freeze on April 20. Every green growing thing was killed dead as a hammer. I lost half a dozen young orchard trees in that deal.
OMG, what am I doing?
We’ve plowed a 40x70 garden. I am already worn out planting potatoes and prepping to plant romaine, peas, spinach, cilantro, beets, onions, carrots and parsnips tomorrow. not to mention the 5 fruit trees already planted with 3 nut trees on the way!
It has been a tough couple of weeks. Two weeks ago, we lost Alex the Border Collie. He was in failing health and 13-years old. Apparently, a brain tumor triggered grande mals and left him blind and paralized. He went to the Rainbow Bridge on Sunday, the 3rd.
Our Bees are installed a week now. Filling our Bog Filter with pea gravel, now. Will use it to clean our duck pond water.
Moving raised beds and will level that spot and it will become my garden for potatoes, winter squash, brussels spouts, cabbage and corn.
A Buckminster "Buckey" Fuller, geodesic dome greenhouse !
My goodness ,.. you were a "rebel" , as well as a gardener ! Congrats !!
I knew you were an innovator when I see the cages which you and your son made to keep the critters out of your garden.
When I was in Appalachia in the later 60's, at an anti-poverty agency, I was investigating the geodesic dome as emergency housing
for 'burned-out' (disaster/fire) families in need of emergency temporary housing.
I made a 7-8 inch high model of Buckey's Dome out of the only supplies I had available to me: tongue depressers from the medical dispensary .
At #170 pounds (then), I was able to stand with my full weight on the model, since all the weight was equally distributed throughout the structure.
What dissuaded me from emergency housing use was the complex compound cuts needed in each of the dome joints and panels -
-it was too demanding of craftsmanship and labor expense, as well as lost materials/ wastage from the panels.
But , it was a revolutionary idea for its time - I commend you for taking the plunge !
Sorry to hear of the dome's demise, .. but as we all get older, the joints take the toll, the walls begin to sag, and the structure weakens, and the rust takes over.
That's why I garden: it keeps the rust and weakness from forming in the joints ,I get to renew and repaint the walls, and frequently strenghten the superstructure.
Would she be willing to raise her own meat? A few rabbits don’t take up much room, and they’re easy to garden for. She could grow what her food eats.
We’ve been in the midst of a Gully Washer, from last night, the happy clapping of thunder and a lightening show. It’s so loud I can hear the rain bouncing off the patio roof.
Our up and down weather has confused the plants. Right now it is windy and chilly, very brisk to say the least. That did not stop me from sprucing up the planters and taking stock of what’s happening. Lilies are coming up, as are hyacinths. Grape hyacints are blooming. Daffy’s sent up shoots but no flowers. I’ll have to get more bone meal. Lettuce doing very well; I’ve had a few salads already from this crop. Hope the weather report is accurate and temperatures will warm up a bit.
Not sure where you are, but where I am in TX, it’s been raining for four days. Yesterday the “road closed” signs were appearing at low water crossings.
On the gardening front, got a flat of ice plants, a flat of begonias, and some arugula off the “free plants” stand at the Mom & Pop nursery.
Planted some cucuzza seeds, Queen’s crown seed, aka, coral flower, antigonon leptopus. They’re in the greenhouse.
Finally harvested some Kale, mustard, and collards, and used them as a spinach replacement in Jap chae.
At least this week, I can blame the rain, and not my laziness for neglecting garden tasks, and lawn mowing.
We’re just below Waco, dead center TX. We’re getting the same weather you are. We just received some happy clapping thunder and lightening.
Just before the rains started, I planted some Swiss chard, and some beans. I still need to plant some Kentucky Wonders around my corn and some squash. My roses seen to be doing well. I used to have a pink climber, but it “died” this year in it’s place is a beautiful red climber and it is climbing like crazy. I haven’t found and “Mom & Pop nursery in this area, but am looking.
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