Garden reports where you at and whats next?

[Adios Pantalones]

So glad I didn't plant tomatoes/peppers etc. Temps in the 30's here would cause serious depression in seedlings

 

[Jags]

I just planted last night. Two nights ago was a fairly heavy frost.

 

[Adios Pantalones]

I just planted last night. Two nights ago was a fairly heavy frost.

We're getting 30's a couple more nights this week. Peppers and tomatoes would turn purple and just sulk for weeks. I actually end up AHEAD by waiting. I am jealous- a planted garden, like a drying stack of wood, is money in the bank.

 

[lukem]

My tomatoes are a bit purplish right now, but should snap back pretty quick this week with the heat wave we're forecasted to get. They did the same thing last year.

 

[semipro]

Planted on Sunday, freeze on Monday....dang it.
Raided every last drinking glass and storage container to cover the seedlings last night.
Looked pretty funny, should have taken a photo afterwards.
Photo below from the weekend.

 

[PapaDave]

Called a local guy for some topsoil and got a quote for $18.50/cu.yd., then came the kicker.
$75 for delivery. I'm 1.5 miles from 'em. Jeesh
I bought bags.

 

[Adios Pantalones]

Called a local guy for some topsoil and got a quote for $18.50/cu.yd., then came the kicker.
$75 for delivery. I'm 1.5 miles from 'em. Jeesh
I bought bags.

Lasagna garden it.

 

[PapaDave]

I can get bags at virtually the same price. Each raised bed takes just a bit less than a yard (unless I make 'em taller).
I've been taking mom to her Dr. appt's weekly, so I pick up 10-15 bags each trip.
The whole idea is to get better control of the weeds and reduce bending. I put down multi layers of newspaper under the frame, then load the TS. I'll do the walk ways the same with newspaper and straw. Long process for me.
Thing is, is the garden is full of goat, sheep, and chicken crap from a couple years ago. The weeds love it.
I may put the tomatoes and green beans in this week or next, although it's probably still too early.
Broccoli and lettuce can go in this week.

 

[Adios Pantalones]

I can get bags at virtually the same price. Each raised bed takes just a bit less than a yard (unless I make 'em taller).
I've been taking mom to her Dr. appt's weekly, so I pick up 10-15 bags each trip.
The whole idea is to get better control of the weeds and reduce bending. I put down multi layers of newspaper under the frame, then load the TS. I'll do the walk ways the same with newspaper and straw. Long process for me.
Thing is, is the garden is full of goat, sheep, and chicken crap from a couple years ago. The weeds love it.
I may put the tomatoes and green beans in this week or next, although it's probably still too early.

Lasagna garden is free. Just layer compostables over paper/cardboard. (well free, if you have leaves, etc).

 

[Jags]

Question on that. I used grass clippings between my 'mater plants. Should I have put newspaper down first? It is a fairly thick layer and I have an endless supply.

 

[Adios Pantalones]

Question on that. I used grass clippings between my 'mater plants. Should I have put newspaper down first? It is a fairly thick layer and I have an endless supply.

You don't have to if just using it as a mulch of sorts. For a lasagna garden- take any patch of dirt and weeds, layer up compostables several inches thick (make sure you have yer greens and browns) over several sheets newspaper or some cardboard. Plant in a small soil pocket. It smothers the weeds, the compostables break down in place, and worms do the tilling. I use 1/2 finished compost for much of it, though I haven't started a new bed in years (I may expand this year).

Less weeding, watering, etc. Tilling is for suckers

 

[semipro]

Question on that. I used grass clippings between my 'mater plants. Should I have put newspaper down first? It is a fairly thick layer and I have an endless supply.

I've done the clippings with and without the newspaper. I prefer without.

 

[PapaDave]

I'm starting to think tilling just makes the weeds happy.

 

[Jags]

Less weeding, watering, etc. Tilling is for suckers

I will have you know that this is the first year that I will not be tilling my garden. Its your fault (good or bad). I just hope I can get my onions and radishes out of that dirt when time comes. I will let you know if you deserve a hug or if I send DeltaT over to your house for a month or two.

 

[Adios Pantalones]

I'm starting to think tilling just makes the weeds happy.

Tilling is entirely necessary if you really hate worms

 

[Adios Pantalones]

I will have you know that this is the first year that I will not be tilling my garden. Its your fault (good or bad). I just hope I can get my onions and radishes out of that dirt when time comes. I will let you know if you deserve a hug or if I send DeltaT over to your house for a month or two.

If the soil is loose and you keep it mulched up well with compostables, you will wonder why you went through the effort. Or, you'll put out a hit on me.

 

[Jags]

The dirt around here is truly "black dirt". Its black. Really black ( I should take pics for all you non-midwesterners). The stuff can get hard if dry. I may have to water heavily before trying to pull onions and radishes.
Loose is not a term I would use to describe it. No sand, no rocks, no clay, just black dirt (thank you Wisconsin and Canada).

 

[Delta-T]

I have most of my elaborate potted garden in place (townhouse...no "yard"). Most pots larger that 12". We have pole beans, green onion (scallion to some), carrots (the little ball shaped guys, cute and don't need so much dirt), cuccumbers, and cantaloupes. We have returning from previous plantings: strawberries, blueberries, and the assortment of herbs (thyme,rosemary,chives,garlic chives,basil,black basil,lavender,catmint,catnip). Still to come are the tomatoes,peppers, and I am attempting Thai Peppers (still indoors on windowsill). Had to cover everyone last nite...brought in the basil. I'm only really worried about the cantaloupe. I too am glad I waited on tomato and peppers. I planted bunches of flowers (columbines,painted daisy,lupines, russian sunflowers and something else I can't remember) cuz my wife says it all looks to "vegetably"....weird, cuz I think cantaloupe is a fruit.

 

[Jags]

^^^ He's like Beetlejuice...say his name three times and he pops up.

 

[Augie]

Wheel on Tires need cleaning and headlights still weren't in when I took this last week.

 

[Jags]

Wheel on Tires need cleaning and headlights still weren't in when I took this last week.

You planting a garden in it???

 

[PapaDave]

Earth to Augie....come in Augie.
Is that your new greenhouse?

 

[Adios Pantalones]

Leave the windows up- it's a greenhouse. I used to put wooden staves in my car in the work parking lot to dry them out (for making bows). Come back and all the windows were fogged up. Called it the car kiln

 

[Delta-T]

i think maybe he grew it...pretty impressive so early in the season.

 

[lukem]

The dirt around here is truly "black dirt". Its black. Really black ( I should take pics for all you non-midwesterners). The stuff can get hard if dry. I may have to water heavily before trying to pull onions and radishes.
Loose is not a term I would use to describe it. No sand, no rocks, no clay, just black dirt (thank you Wisconsin and Canada).

I've got the same stuff here. As fluffy and nutrient rich as it gets when there's some moisture to it...then it turns to concrete when dry. Farmers have to rip corn fields about the middle of June so when it rains the water soaks in and doesn't just run off. I'm considering going no-till and "leafing" and "grass clipping" the garden into submission. I have enough yard that I could have the garden a foot deep in grass clippings in a couple weeks.