Re: My 7x12 Deck GH
My first rose. I have been on a mission to add some orange colored flowers. I planted some orange dahlia tuber's but couldn't wait for them.
My first attempt at a youtube vid of GH/AP beds
[youtudotbe]https://youtu.be/iJmhYOzS3fs[/youtudotbe]
The greens look so shiny at night I did a fly over view
[youtudotbe]https://youtu.be/IFxnui-BdTk[/youtudotbe]
I still have some purple tips on tomato leaves and peppers are struggling from the cold but everything else looks good.
[youtudotbe]https://youtu.be/iJmhYOzS3fs[/youtudotbe]
The greens look so shiny at night I did a fly over view
[youtudotbe]https://youtu.be/IFxnui-BdTk[/youtudotbe]
I still have some purple tips on tomato leaves and peppers are struggling from the cold but everything else looks good.
Just some updates on garden. I got 30 for 30 pole beans sprouting in front of the snap peas. The peas are finally taking off. I planted them in March and they were flooded and snowed on. They just started flowering so hopefully the peas are done before the pole beans take over.
Here are some wicking buckets for peppers and a fig. I'm not sure how the fig will fair in the bucket. It is a Chicago Hardy and can go in the ground or bigger pot if needed. These are 5 gallon buckets with (2) 1 gallon jugs deflated and stuffed in the bottom for a water reservoir. Then a layer of weed block and potting mix. Mushroom compost, peat and pearlite. There is an overflow hole and a pipe to pour the water in.
My tomatoes were really stressed from a week of rain and 40's. Some of them turned yellow, spotted and curled up all the way to the top. I replaced some while others seem to be pulling out of it.
Garden looking west. Most of this end was grass so it's a new area. I tried to rotate the tom's with the cuc's to avoid blights and switch nitrogen.
Onion row.
West end. Halie's best and Min Midget cantaloup. Marketmore 76 cuc's and some misc greens that are about done.
My strawberries are ever-bearing and didn't kick in before the trees shaded their spot. I might pull them and go with an earlier producer next year.
Here are some wicking buckets for peppers and a fig. I'm not sure how the fig will fair in the bucket. It is a Chicago Hardy and can go in the ground or bigger pot if needed. These are 5 gallon buckets with (2) 1 gallon jugs deflated and stuffed in the bottom for a water reservoir. Then a layer of weed block and potting mix. Mushroom compost, peat and pearlite. There is an overflow hole and a pipe to pour the water in.
My tomatoes were really stressed from a week of rain and 40's. Some of them turned yellow, spotted and curled up all the way to the top. I replaced some while others seem to be pulling out of it.
Garden looking west. Most of this end was grass so it's a new area. I tried to rotate the tom's with the cuc's to avoid blights and switch nitrogen.
Onion row.
West end. Halie's best and Min Midget cantaloup. Marketmore 76 cuc's and some misc greens that are about done.
My strawberries are ever-bearing and didn't kick in before the trees shaded their spot. I might pull them and go with an earlier producer next year.
The pole beans are taking over as the snap peas dwindle. This has been a very successful experiment.
1) I can grow snap peas while waiting for warmer weather to grow pole beans.
2) The pole beans climb faster up the snap's with less training.
3) Grow more with less space
Here is the pole bean spouts on 5/28
On 6/24 the snaps are approaching 8 feet and winding down
Here you can see the pole beans winding up the snap's.
I also planted some large cherry and snack tom's on each end. They are approaching 5 ft and keeping up with the competition. I weave them in and out of the string. Both are IND and should reach 10 ft in height.
1) I can grow snap peas while waiting for warmer weather to grow pole beans.
2) The pole beans climb faster up the snap's with less training.
3) Grow more with less space
Here is the pole bean spouts on 5/28
On 6/24 the snaps are approaching 8 feet and winding down
Here you can see the pole beans winding up the snap's.
I also planted some large cherry and snack tom's on each end. They are approaching 5 ft and keeping up with the competition. I weave them in and out of the string. Both are IND and should reach 10 ft in height.
My "kids"! I have tried to spread my tom starts throughout the neighborhood, friends and family in order to promote growing your own produce. Then I get to go check on them and make adjustments. To my surprise, most are doing better than my own. They were all the same starts but the difference is mostly virgin soil. It is free of the common wilts, blights and pests that my soil supports. It turned out to be more work because now I have to go and give the support structure that hey have already outgrown.
There are small cages in there somewhere! Cherokee purple on the left and big beef on the right. The benefit is I can rob them at anytime.
There are small cages in there somewhere! Cherokee purple on the left and big beef on the right. The benefit is I can rob them at anytime.
Honey bee project! I have wanted to raise bees for a while due to the decline. It was an overwhelming task due to the initial investment and learning curve. Then I discovered Top Bar Hive's that can be diy from scraps I already had lying around. I found some simple designs and pics online and made one up. There are local clubs that are wanting more people involved with helping the bees due to colony collapse. I let the white clover flower out and avoid mowing but have only seen one honey been this season. It was time to do my part.
Initial box
The top bars which will be turned over for a place to draw straight comb
Viewing windows
Final touch with the help of my girls
Initial box
The top bars which will be turned over for a place to draw straight comb
Viewing windows
Final touch with the help of my girls
First onion flowering.
First gladiola flower today! These are a hardy variety so we will see if they make it in my zone.
Cantaloupe spilling out of cage. It's out of control from starting them inside! Since it was already at the top of the cage I I put down 3 inches of partially composted mulch directly over grass and let them wander out. There is marketmore 76 cucs in the right cage. I also left a spinach, kale, chard and lettuce to seed out.
My mom asked me to thin out her Hosta's. I love free plants!
First gladiola flower today! These are a hardy variety so we will see if they make it in my zone.
Cantaloupe spilling out of cage. It's out of control from starting them inside! Since it was already at the top of the cage I I put down 3 inches of partially composted mulch directly over grass and let them wander out. There is marketmore 76 cucs in the right cage. I also left a spinach, kale, chard and lettuce to seed out.
My mom asked me to thin out her Hosta's. I love free plants!
Garden update
Wisconsin picklers were supposed to get 18" tall. They are already over the top of my 5' cage. I just started harvesting.
Minnesota Midget Cantaloupe got off to a slow start but is coming on.
Most all my tomatoes have outgrown the tall cages except for the 2 on the right. Some have not even set fruit. First time I recall having 5' tall tomatoes just starting to fruit.
Halies Best Cantaloupe is spilling out of the cage. I have 4 onion sacks supporting some fruit in the cage and lots more coming on.
Marketmore 76 cucs are just about ready to start harvesting.
Onions are getting floppy but I'm holding out till they get bigger.
Green beans are already 8' tall and just starting to flower. There are also 7 ft tall toms on each end.
Greenhouse is pumping out tomatoes and chard. I can pick a leaf a day from 5 chard plants and the next day there is a new one ready. Celery is coming along. I blanched them with red plactic cups which seems to work well. Peppers are struggling as usual.
Wisconsin picklers were supposed to get 18" tall. They are already over the top of my 5' cage. I just started harvesting.
Minnesota Midget Cantaloupe got off to a slow start but is coming on.
Most all my tomatoes have outgrown the tall cages except for the 2 on the right. Some have not even set fruit. First time I recall having 5' tall tomatoes just starting to fruit.
Halies Best Cantaloupe is spilling out of the cage. I have 4 onion sacks supporting some fruit in the cage and lots more coming on.
Marketmore 76 cucs are just about ready to start harvesting.
Onions are getting floppy but I'm holding out till they get bigger.
Green beans are already 8' tall and just starting to flower. There are also 7 ft tall toms on each end.
Greenhouse is pumping out tomatoes and chard. I can pick a leaf a day from 5 chard plants and the next day there is a new one ready. Celery is coming along. I blanched them with red plactic cups which seems to work well. Peppers are struggling as usual.
It all starts with the GH. It has opened a whole new world of starting and protecting veggies and flowers.
The rose continues to give me fits with leaf issues....but she is strong and wants to please me.
Gerbers have been one of the few that thrived this unusual season.
I collared/blanched some celery with solo cup and a little tape. It kept them in check and they burst the tape. It is really the first time I had good luck with celery from seed.
Sage seems easiest if I just forget about it and water occasionally. It really makes the deer breakfast sausage gooood!
Yeah...I started the loupes in the GH.
Chard and mums....they just keep giving
My first passion flower. These are clipped starts from a plant I got for my mom on mothers days a few years back. Kinda sentimental.
They open during the day and close at night.
Lots to come.
This year I was focused on paste/sauce toms. I started a bunch of San Marzano but not matter where I planted them the turned out small like grape tomato's. In the AP system and 3 different places in the soil. I called "seeds of change" and the sent me a new pack of seeds.
Then the organic lady said try some Martino's. I had one plant in the AP bed that is producing great. They are DET but heirloom. I saved seed and they will be my focus next season.
The rose continues to give me fits with leaf issues....but she is strong and wants to please me.
Gerbers have been one of the few that thrived this unusual season.
I collared/blanched some celery with solo cup and a little tape. It kept them in check and they burst the tape. It is really the first time I had good luck with celery from seed.
Sage seems easiest if I just forget about it and water occasionally. It really makes the deer breakfast sausage gooood!
Yeah...I started the loupes in the GH.
Chard and mums....they just keep giving
My first passion flower. These are clipped starts from a plant I got for my mom on mothers days a few years back. Kinda sentimental.
They open during the day and close at night.
Lots to come.
This year I was focused on paste/sauce toms. I started a bunch of San Marzano but not matter where I planted them the turned out small like grape tomato's. In the AP system and 3 different places in the soil. I called "seeds of change" and the sent me a new pack of seeds.
Then the organic lady said try some Martino's. I had one plant in the AP bed that is producing great. They are DET but heirloom. I saved seed and they will be my focus next season.
I still struggle with peppers. They just don't like it here. The best I've done was in SWC this year with peat. mushroom compost and pearlite. I just moved the under the cover of the GH because the rain seemed to make them pale when over watered. I'm hoping to overwinter a few inside.
The GB's are cleaned up and awaiting the new fall spinach and lettuce crop.
The GB's are cleaned up and awaiting the new fall spinach and lettuce crop.
Fired up the aquaponics this morning. Water temp was 42f. It's supposed to range from 25-50f this week so hopefully it holds.
Sent the seedling train on a day trip
Checked on my gills. I kept around 10-12 for the winter. Didn't loose any and they look healthy considering they went 2.5
months without circulation except for a couple warm days.
Stirred everything up and checked Ammonia and Nitrites. Both under 1. Good to go!
Then Missy and I went ice fishing. These 2 went in the FT to fatten up. It was temped to keep a bunch of gills but the media beds need to recoup after winter. When Ammonia and Nitrites reach zero I will add 10 more.
Train back at the station. Call it a day. It's beer:30
Sent the seedling train on a day trip
Checked on my gills. I kept around 10-12 for the winter. Didn't loose any and they look healthy considering they went 2.5
months without circulation except for a couple warm days.
Stirred everything up and checked Ammonia and Nitrites. Both under 1. Good to go!
Then Missy and I went ice fishing. These 2 went in the FT to fatten up. It was temped to keep a bunch of gills but the media beds need to recoup after winter. When Ammonia and Nitrites reach zero I will add 10 more.
Train back at the station. Call it a day. It's beer:30
Thanks AS.applestar wrote:Looking good!
-- I'm REALLY looking forward to following your progress and watching your garden grow this year.
I checked the Ammonia and Nitrites yesterday and they are already 0. This is the benefit of keeping my fish inside and FT form freezing. It keeps the Nitrozomas active and they rebound quick. Otherwise it could take 6 weeks to cycle. It also means it's time to add more fish for the season. I will add a few at a time to keep it balance. If I just through 10 in there it would spike the ammonia.
Water temps have ranged between 45-60f. The cool weather brassicas, spinach and lettuce will grow at 50-60 but it is real slow. Once the water temp hits 65-70 they take off. I leave the trays of seedlings on the GB's at night so they get used to the temps.
I planted out the beds today with; Spinach, Black Seed Lettuce, Red Rouge Lettuce, Giant Ceaser, Kohlrabi, Kale, Chard, Baby Bok Choi and Muchlini. Here are some pics.
Bed 1. I put herbs that don't like wet feet over the gravel guards.
Bed 2
Bed 3
Bed 4. There is a celery bottom in the back right corner. They grows like crazy in the GB's.
Overall shot
Great setup and the shower doors are a great idea.
For venting you might want to check out Farmtek's steals and deals section. You might be able to find a large louver for cheap money you could adapt to your setup. I've got a hightunnnel and grabbed 36" x 36" one from there last year for $35! They post new stuff in that section all the time so keep checking often.
For venting you might want to check out Farmtek's steals and deals section. You might be able to find a large louver for cheap money you could adapt to your setup. I've got a hightunnnel and grabbed 36" x 36" one from there last year for $35! They post new stuff in that section all the time so keep checking often.
RI-Mike wrote:Great setup and the shower doors are a great idea.
For venting you might want to check out Farmtek's steals and deals section. You might be able to find a large louver for cheap money you could adapt to your setup. I've got a hightunnnel and grabbed 36" x 36" one from there last year for $35! They post new stuff in that section all the time so keep checking often.
I keep checking Farmtek for a louver....probably make one soon.
3/15 Planted beds
4/7....getting crowded!
Baby pak choi and michihili Cabbage ready to harvest. I made 5 qts of kimchi.
New straw bale hugelkultur on old asphalt. It was layered with cardboard, rotten cottonwood, leaves, old hay and grass clippings. Then it was topped with 6-8 inches of leaf compost/topsoil. I also mixed in some DE granules and pine mulch.
Ink caps breaking down the bales
Strawberries, peppers and onions were planted directly into the bales. The inside is planted with peppers, tomato's, diakon, and carrots so far. I still need to finish the back half. I have super-hots and tomato's ready to plant.
New pole bean trellis from a re-purposed storage barn. I laid old plywood directly on the sod. The right outside was trenched, sod removed and 45 blue lake beans planted. The left inside was drilled with a hole saw and planted with 45 kentucky wonder.
Common ground garden so far. I cut a circle in the sod, cut it in half, planted a tomato, put the sod back upside down and mulched with grass clippings. No fertilizer or soil ammendments....so far. For the peppers I cut a 1 1/2 circle out of the middle of a bucket lid.
Old garden. Front has martino roma's, kohlrabi, vidalia, cucumbers, melons and a few peppers.
Back has PL tomato's, cucumbers and radish.
Bee Garden
Rock/mailbox garden
I've been busy. I still have 63 super-hots and some toms and sweets to put out. I am kinda glad it's a rainy day lol. I need a break.
New straw bale hugelkultur on old asphalt. It was layered with cardboard, rotten cottonwood, leaves, old hay and grass clippings. Then it was topped with 6-8 inches of leaf compost/topsoil. I also mixed in some DE granules and pine mulch.
Ink caps breaking down the bales
Strawberries, peppers and onions were planted directly into the bales. The inside is planted with peppers, tomato's, diakon, and carrots so far. I still need to finish the back half. I have super-hots and tomato's ready to plant.
New pole bean trellis from a re-purposed storage barn. I laid old plywood directly on the sod. The right outside was trenched, sod removed and 45 blue lake beans planted. The left inside was drilled with a hole saw and planted with 45 kentucky wonder.
Common ground garden so far. I cut a circle in the sod, cut it in half, planted a tomato, put the sod back upside down and mulched with grass clippings. No fertilizer or soil ammendments....so far. For the peppers I cut a 1 1/2 circle out of the middle of a bucket lid.
Old garden. Front has martino roma's, kohlrabi, vidalia, cucumbers, melons and a few peppers.
Back has PL tomato's, cucumbers and radish.
Bee Garden
Rock/mailbox garden
I've been busy. I still have 63 super-hots and some toms and sweets to put out. I am kinda glad it's a rainy day lol. I need a break.
The wall of cherries. These are where I used to grow pole beans but the needed rotated. Ambrosia gold, sugar drops and black cherry.
Partial sun garden. I am trying hardy kiwis here mixed is with the hostas. They are having a hard time adjusting to my soil but are showing new growth.
Old strawberry bed is doing well this year. I will have lots of sisters to pull out for the new strawbale garden.
Partial sun garden. I am trying hardy kiwis here mixed is with the hostas. They are having a hard time adjusting to my soil but are showing new growth.
Old strawberry bed is doing well this year. I will have lots of sisters to pull out for the new strawbale garden.
