Bri's 2017 veggie garden

[Taiji]

I see, looking more closely, I see some have poles and some are on a ladder type trellis.

[bri80]

That is correct. Sometimes, late in the season, I get some issues with heavy branches pulling the plant down the pole a little bit, but it's never been too big of a problem. It's a simple, easy way to support the plants growing upwards.

[bri80]

Quick update... I'm wondering if I mixed the neem oil too strongly (pretty sure I followed directions), because a few days after application all the sprayed plants developed some white dots on the mature leaves. It doesn't appear to be a major problem, I think they'll be fine, but still, I'm trying to reduce stress on the plant, not add more. I am undecided if I think it appears to have helped with the symphs or not.

Transplanted the first batch of peppers out today (3 more still inside, they took longer to germinate):

Broccoli (getting ready to head soon... wish they'd gotten bigger first, but early broccoli is always a little dicey. I'm curious if the symphs were a factor, too, I'll have to see how my direct-seeded broc does):

Peas don't seem to be affected by the symphs at all:

And tomatoes:

[bri80]

Just wanted to share this cool thing I built today. I built a simple frame and attached shade cloth to it, creating a mobile shade station. I can use it to cover cool weather crops like broccoli or lettuce in hot spells, and, as I am right now, use it to harden off freshly-transplanted vegetables that aren't acclimated to full sun yet.

For example, I transplanted out my peppers yesterday, so I put it over the pepper bed. On Monday it's supposed to get into the 90's for a couple days, so I'll move it to the next bed for the broccoli (hopefully 3 days will be enough for the peppers to get used to being outside).

And a look inside:

[applestar]

Nice! I've been thinking along the same lines. ...but not sure if I will get around to building one. Looks mighty useful though!

[bri80]

From a few days ago but the lettuce is doing nicely. Should be having fresh salads within a couple weeks! The broccoli down the middle is taking a little longer to get going, either because of cold weather (it finally turned summer-y this week!) or symphs or both, but I'm not too worried yet.

The other front yard bed. This is growing swiss chard, cauliflower, carrots, parsley and onions.

And planting the main potato crop today.

I also planted summer savory, dill, cilantro and yellow crookneck squash.

[bri80]

Lots of updates! I'm amazed and excited with how fast everything started growing now that the weather finally turned warm and sunny. All that cold, wet soil is now warming up and the plants are going crazy!

I couldn't be happier with how the front yard beds have progressed over the last week. It is amazing how much growth has occurred:

Peas killing it and finally blooming:

Peppers seem to be adjusting fine to being outdoors. Lost a couple leaves, and there's some slight yellowing on a few leaves, but new growth has already started:

And had a few extra starts so these guys will live in pots this year:

Almost time to harvest broccoli! I started these indoors a little earlier than normal and I think I'm getting smaller heads because of it. This should still be a decent harvest though. Also, usually I side dress fertilizer when the main heading starts but I completely forgot (this greatly improves side shoot production).

[bri80]

Random close-ups....

And some young lettuce and brussels sprouts:

[bri80]

First sizable lettuce harvest. These are thinnings from the two rows out front to make room for the rest to get bigger.

[KitchenGardener]

Gotta say that your plants and produce looks so healthy and unblemished! I wish my overgrown and densely packed garden would look as nice...

[bri80]

Gotta say that your plants and produce looks so healthy and unblemished! I wish my overgrown and densely packed garden would look as nice...

Thanks!

[bri80]

First broc and pea harvest:

And this was cool... it's hard to tell what it is, but it's a cabbage moth larva that'd been caught and partially eaten by a common garden spider. I see them building webs in my broccoli/cauliflower, now I know what they're doing! You can see the damage from the larva in the leaves.

[wisconsindead]

Looking really good!

[Taiji]

I too am so impressed with the robust healthy look of the plants that you set out; especially the pepper plants. Mine are ok, but not as nice as yours. I think next year I might try that vegan fertilizer mix that you use for your seedlings. I probably won't use it outdoors though; my gardens are too big.

One would never know that you have a symph problem. I'm thinkin this shows that healthy plants are better able to ward off pests and disease than unhealthy plants are!

[bri80]

I too am so impressed with the robust healthy look of the plants that you set out; especially the pepper plants. Mine are ok, but not as nice as yours. I think next year I might try that vegan fertilizer mix that you use for your seedlings. I probably won't use it outdoors though; my gardens are too big.

Thanks, Taiji. I don't know how big your garden is, or how much you spend on fertilizer now, but I'd certainly recommend trying it on at least a bed or two so you can judge for yourself whether the results are worth it. 1.5 gallons per 100 sq. ft. is a good standard application rate for most crops.

One would never know that you have a symph problem. I'm thinkin this shows that healthy plants are better able to ward off pests and disease than unhealthy plants are!

I agree, but it's also worth noting I didn't post pictures of my completely stunted, barely 1" large spinach plants that completely failed because of the symphs! Apparently spinach is their favorite. I will be growing it in pots for the foreseeable future.