A magicians 1st garden. With Pics! UPDATE 7/30

[The Magician]

Well here is my 1st garden. Planted on 6-2-12.

Your thoughts?

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-06-02162030.jpg[/img]

Started with 2 beds, quickly realized.......Nope thats not enough

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-06-05145124.jpg[/img]

Left bed is Tomatoes,

middle is lettuce, Zuc and 1 left over tomato

The right is onions, lettuce, bell peppers (all Diff colors) and cucumbers.


STILL NOT ENOUGH added to planters.

Left has Chili peppers and habanero

Right has peas and beans

This pic was taken today on 6-27-12

Things are growing great.

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-06-27191409.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-06-26185451.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-06-27191528.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-06-27191601.jpg[/img]

1 mater growing so far

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-06-27191625.jpg[/img]

The Zuc is crazy!

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-06-27191528.jpg[/img]

We have harvested a lot of lettuce already, the salads have been great!

I put these cages up to keep the cucumbers from climbing all over my bell peppers. Did I hurt the cucs?

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-06-27191431.jpg[/img]

Thanks every one. Any suggestions?

[jal_ut]

Looking good.

[rainbowgardener]

Looking good, except I think you have way too many plants per space. The peppers are looking pale and a bit puny. I know it is really hard, but I would thin everything a bit and then feed the peppers.

[gixxerific]

I aggree it looks a bit crowded. Next year take off the inner sides of the beds and connect them, than bring it about another 100 ft' this way and you should be good. Well maybe not a hundred feet but you get he idea.

Your trimming probably isn't hurting the zuch's. I have horrificly butchered plants like this before with no ill effect. They are all about growing fast, they may come back twice as big just to show you.

Good luck

[Northernfox]

looks good. I did put a few too many plants in last year now that is it my second year I did the exact same. it is fun though eh

[The Magician]

You say the peepers? My bell peppers with the cukes or the pail with the chilis and habenero needs to be thinned.

[Northernfox]

Oh you know what book was really good "The New Square Foot Gardening"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Square_Foot_Gardening_Book_Cover.png

it helped me learn to space things I did still try to squeeze a few more in

[rainbowgardener]

The container full of hot peppers is not only crowded, but the plants looking pale and puny. Everything else is way crowded but doing ok with it so far.

Square Foot Gardening is all about WAY over crowding by typical standards, which they compensate for with really rich soil. It doesn't work for everyone and I don't think it is always a good way for newbies to start. It helps to be able to recognize when your plants aren't thriving and need extra help. I would never ever plant more crowded than the SFG recommendations, understanding the SFG is already way crowded.

[gixxerific]

Square Foot Gardening is all about WAY over crowding by typical standards, which they compensate for with really rich soil. It doesn't work for everyone and I don't think it is always a good way for newbies to start. It helps to be able to recognize when your plants aren't thriving and need extra help. I would never ever plant more crowded than the SFG recommendations, understanding the SFG is already way crowded.

Yeah but since it's (SFG) on a grid pattern it all works outs. Not a big fan of SFG. And yes I still over crowd some things. But I know MY limit.

[The Magician]

Here are some updated pics. It looks like the Cukes are doing great.

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-06-29193718.jpg[/img]

The cukes all turned right side up and started to climb. Also theres a ton of flowers on them now.

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-06-29193740.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-06-29193751.jpg[/img]

Bell peppers are all flowering now.

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-06-29193800.jpg[/img]

These are peas I think staring to bud.

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-06-29193812.jpg[/img]

I harvested another chili

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-06-29193825.jpg[/img]

[2cents]

Good looking raised beds.
I was thinking there was too much open space in your garden.
I would be putting onions and garlic, maybe some chard in some of the holes. next time I'd put stuff closer to the frames.
Guess everyone has there own idea on how close to grow plants.
My peppers always are touching and the branches cross each other. Seems to work well for me.

[The Magician]

The cukes are trellising nicely.

Hey splash, how ya like my twisted hockey tape trellis. Free!

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-07-03160511.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-07-03160521.jpg[/img]

Baby Cukes

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-07-03160538.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-07-03160554.jpg[/img]

I pulled all the lettuce because it has all gotten to big and it got bitter tasting. I read that it might have been due to our high heat lately.

BUT........ I planted some artichokes in their spots.

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-07-03160608.jpg[/img]

Oh yea I have a baby pepper now as well. He will be orange when all is said and done.

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-07-03160620.jpg[/img]

Zukes are nuts

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-07-03160630.jpg[/img]

Harvested some yum yums for tonights meal.

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-07-03160412.jpg[/img]

This is my favorite plant. It is called a wandering jew.

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-07-03160448.jpg[/img]

Not in the garden but I had to rip out some dumb planter the previous owner had a rock garden in. The grass is coming in now.

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-07-03160650.jpg[/img]

[DoubleDogFarm]

Very nice!

I have only one question. Where's the house? The planters seem to be out in the middle of nowhere.

Eric

[The Magician]

Very nice!

I have only one question. Where's the house? The planters seem to be out in the middle of nowhere.

Eric

House is to the left, lake is to the right. Behind the beds are all the backyards of my neighbors.

I water the grass / garden straight from the lake. FREE!

[The Magician]

Time for an update!

My cukes are getting big.

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-07-08194427.jpg[/img]

This is my neighbors puny Zuke plant, and my cute kid.

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-07-08203540.jpg[/img]

I pulled my onions out of the clumps in the corners, separated them and planted them in rows. I have no idea if this will work, but if it doesent then at least ill know more for next year.

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-07-08212309.jpg[/img]

YUM! My first yellow squash.

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-07-08212603.jpg[/img]

The view from my back walkout. Gardens on the left.

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-07-08212351.jpg[/img]

[The Magician]

The beds now look like this. Notice the Cukes are gone? Well they all were bitter to the point that I could not eat them even after peeling. Plus a ground hog did a number on the base stems.

So I pulled the cukes, and moved some peppers that were not setting fruit cause I think they were not getting enough sun under the cukes.

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-07-30130011.jpg[/img]

Cuke grave yard.

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-07-30125610.jpg[/img]

This is what it looks like now. I planted my fall crop of lettuce blends in the open spot today. 45 days to grow it said on the package so it will be nice having fresh salads.

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-07-30125626.jpg[/img]

My bean plants are getting hit hard

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-07-30125819.jpg[/img]

But the are still making beans! And theres a ton of them.

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-07-30125825.jpg[/img]

Chili peppers are rocking, the Habeneros just started to fruit.

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-07-30125938.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-07-30125956.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-07-30125930.jpg[/img]

The bell peppers (all diff colors) that were not buried in the cukes are doing great. I transplanted the other ones today so hopefully the will catch up and are not in too much shock. Notice them drooping on the left, hopefully in a few days they will enjoy the new sun spot and come back.

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-07-30125713-1.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-07-30125738.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-07-30125753.jpg[/img]

Weird shape on this one.
[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-07-30125726-3.jpg[/img]

Heres some maters. I am going to have a ton of maters from just 6 plants.

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-07-30125846.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-07-30125855.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-07-30125912.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-07-30125903.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-07-30130057.jpg[/img]

Here is this afternoons harvest.

[img]https://i682.photobucket.com/albums/vv184/magicbh/2012-07-30105649.jpg[/img]

[SOB]

Looking great! You should be proud of your first year success so far!

[DownriverGardener]

looks great! I love your setup next to a lake. Cheers.

[mhannum]

Great photos and nice garden!

Sorry about the groundhog, though... ugh, they are buggers.

[The Magician]

Great photos and nice garden!

Sorry about the groundhog, though... ugh, they are buggers.

Its okay I got him!

[greenstubbs]

Cucks go bitter from lack of H2O during the fruiting process, as well as leaving them on the vine for a day or 3 to long. Looks a little crowded as mentioned, but healthy crops are there. Reap from your bounties, and learn from your loses.

[PunkRotten]

Very nice house and garden. Any fish in that lake?

[The Magician]

Very nice house and garden. Any fish in that lake?

Yes it is a very good , not great fishing lake. I water from the lake and fertilized each bed with fish scraps when I first put the dirt in.

[dsyukon]

Nice neat setup ! Some awesome looking plants !

Five Stars !

[DDMcKenna]

Big jump, 23 months between posts. I wonder how the garden is this year?

Cute kid, amazing garden, but in the very first photo posted,
I looked at that rake and wondered if it was laying there with the points turned up?

[mattie g]

The OP hasn't been back in two years, so something g tells me you won't get an answer.

The rake was pointed down, by the way.

[sunflower13]

Now my curiosity is piqued. Did he continue to garden or did he stop? Will we ever know ?

[mattie g]

Now my curiosity is piqued. Did he continue to garden or did he stop? Will we ever know ?

Seems he disappreared in a puff of smoke.