Posted: 5/7/2015 9:32:45 PM EDT
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Here are a few pics of my modest garden...Let's see yours!
The boxes: 
Last week: 
A few days ago: 
Corn: 
Strawberries, Cukes & Beans 
Onions, Lettuce & Peppers: 
Maters: 
Getting There: 
Custom cedar 4x4 boxes. Netafim techline EZ system, Rainbird SST-600s. BTW...The fence with wire mesh you are seeing is my dog run. I could start a whole new thread based on the King and Queen's addition to our home! |
LED germination chamber. 
To the greenhouse. 
Simple plows. 
Just a few short rows. I thought maybe this was overkill, but we've had so much rain, the large rows have kept my plants from drowning. I see so many raised boxes, I don't know why. This is how my grandparents did it. This is how my parents did it. This is how we did it in gardening class at A&M. This is how I do it. 
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http://i59.tinypic.com/zn4wnt.jpg LED germination chamber. http://i58.tinypic.com/sllcon.jpg To the greenhouse. http://i61.tinypic.com/289ap1j.jpg Simple plows. http://i58.tinypic.com/25pl36a.jpg Just a few short rows. I thought maybe this was overkill, but we've had so much rain, the large rows have kept my plants from drowning. I see so many raised boxes, I don't know why. This is how my grandparents did it. This is how my parents did it. This is how we did it in gardening class at A&M. This is how I do it. http://i60.tinypic.com/sqo3dy.jpg Joemama, when we get to that in the seed starting thread, I hope you will come in and explain how you use the colored light and how you accomplish it practically in your seed starting setup. 
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I see so many raised boxes, I don't know why. This is how my grandparents did it. This is how my parents did it. This is how we did it in gardening class at A&M. This is how I do it. http://i60.tinypic.com/sqo3dy.jpg I don't know why others do raised beds, but I 1. Don't have to either own a plow or put in a lot of work prepping the beds each year 2. Don't have to bend down to plant 3. Have almost completely weed-free beds for almost no weeding On the other hand, if you do have a plow or the ready labor I can see the appeal. 1. Cheaper to put additional garden in 2. Easier to cultivate if needed. 3. Did I mention cheaper to put in additional garden space? 
I love seeing the pics of folks who have large yards , but in a suburban yard and a gardener that doesn't have much free time raised beds are awesome.
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Here are a few pics of my modest garden...Let's see yours! The boxes: <a href="http://postimg.org/image/a6ska64mz/" target="_blank">http://s17.postimg.org/a6ska64mz/IMG_0897.jpg</a> Last week: <a href="http://postimg.org/image/6kmqxiy9n/" target="_blank">http://s17.postimg.org/6kmqxiy9n/IMG_0901.jpg</a> A few days ago: <a href="http://postimg.org/image/v2eulf0u3/" target="_blank">http://s17.postimg.org/v2eulf0u3/IMG_0920.jpg</a> Corn: <a href="http://postimg.org/image/yehqsghyz/" target="_blank">http://s17.postimg.org/yehqsghyz/IMG_0928.jpg</a> Strawberries, Cukes & Beans <a href="http://postimg.org/image/wla8qe7ej/" target="_blank">http://s17.postimg.org/wla8qe7ej/IMG_0929.jpg</a> Onions, Lettuce & Peppers: <a href="http://postimg.org/image/lx6hrjxff/" target="_blank">http://s17.postimg.org/lx6hrjxff/IMG_0930.jpg</a> Maters: <a href="http://postimg.org/image/wnypqz0fv/" target="_blank">http://s17.postimg.org/wnypqz0fv/IMG_0931.jpg</a> Getting There: <a href="http://postimg.org/image/nhgf3ov7f/" target="_blank">http://s17.postimg.org/nhgf3ov7f/IMG_0932.jpg</a> Custom cedar 4x4 boxes. Netafim techline EZ system, Rainbird SST-600s. BTW...The fence with wire mesh you are seeing is my dog run. I could start a whole new thread based on the King and Queen's addition to our home! Wow, nice boxes! Did you build those from scratch, fancy corners and all? |
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Joemama, when we get to that in the seed starting thread, I hope you will come in and explain how you use the colored light and how you accomplish it practically in your seed starting setup.
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Joemama, when we get to that in the seed starting thread, I hope you will come in and explain how you use the colored light and how you accomplish it practically in your seed starting setup.
Remind me when you get to it. Believe it or not, the only reason we got into LED lighting was because we got involved in a DARPA project (weird right?). Then we started experimenting with it. I want to build out a cargo container with nothing but LED lighting for germination, but we had a business opportunity come along and I've had to put that project on hold. We still use LED lighting in different ways to increase plant growth in winter months and we've had a couple of magazine articles come out about it, it's all very cool stuff. Methods are different between the southern and northern states because of the amount of natural daylight and snowfall. But you want deep red/blue lights for germination, but if all you have are white florescent, those work too, it's just a broader spectrum of light and a higher energy cost. |
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I love seeing the pics of folks who have large yards , but in a suburban yard and a gardener that doesn't have much free time raised beds are awesome. I cheated, I don't have space at my house either. I did have space at our greenhouse complex, so that's where it got planted. Last week, we stretched out a hose from our commercial fertilizer injector and watered the whole garden with commercial grade fertilizer. I didn't use much, but it made a hell of a difference. It also gave me an excuse to try some lemon grass production outside in rows. They grow it that way in California and Mexico, I want to see if we can make it work in Texas. |
Seriously, those big ass, deep furrows are looking pretty smart. I dunno how much rain we've had, except to say shitloads. Everything is still going except the onions in the hydroponic tub. 95% have called it quits at golf ball size, maybe half a dozen left to make it to baseball size. |
Got enough cucumbers to make 3 small jars of pickles on Friday. One squash. I checked this morning, a few more cucumbers, another squash. I'll probably pick again tonight, put the cucumbers in the fridge and pick again on Friday to have enough for another batch. Couple more days, I should be up to my ass in squash. Peppers are maybe a week away. Tomatoes are there, small and green. Way too much rain, weeds are out of control, supposed to dry out some this week, maybe we can weed it this weekend and get it back on track. |
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Okay let's revive this thread and see those gardens.
I'll show my gnarly little experimental garden for the year. Experimental for the following reasons: 1-Heirloom tomatoes ONLY this time. Planted in sets of three in four different "squares" Each square has one of each of three varieties, planted in the same order. I figured if I kept straight which varieties were which, I could make some determinations about them. 2-Growing a combination of "up a string," as in the square foot gardening method, and in cages. BUT....Since I've had mixed results with "suckering" the tomatoes per Mel's methods, I'm mostly just leaving them be, and attempting to support them with my existing frames. We'll see. 3-Other than the tomatoes, a few marigolds, some squash and zucchs, thyme and some mint, which I bought, and some Straight-8 cucs my mom gave me, I basically went through the house and found every seed packet I've "forgotten" since 2002, and planted those seeds. They were stuck in cabinets and in the fridge. Pulled them out and planted them. I was late anyway, so why not?
4-I had leftover ornamental gourds and a pie pumpkin from last fall rotting in a basket that had blown into the yard. I smashed them on a rock and planted them. I have no idea what I'll get. 
Some stuff is just now coming up. Poor tomatoes have suffered a massive hornworm attack, and it's been raining constantly for days, so I haven't been able to feed, but there it is. 
Overnight Hornworm damage 
What happens when you plant a rotting pie pumpkin. (thinned these right after I took the photo) 
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Mine are all raised beds too. So much better. Drain well. Easier to work with concernign weeding, picking, etc. Dogs tend to stay out of them better. Just picked these this morning. Fried Squash tonight! <a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/user/hipower90hipower/media/garden%2007%20015%20001_zpsbzzezvlf.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d161/hipower90hipower/garden%2007%20015%20001_zpsbzzezvlf.jpg</a> hipower, will you show pics of your raised beds? Since I have to rebuild mine next year, I'm looking for ideas from anybody who will show theirs. kitties |
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I'll show my gnarly little experimental garden for the year. Experimental for the following reasons: 2-Growing a combination of "up a string," as in the square foot gardening method, and in cages. We're experimenting with support this year too. Some are in the funnel type cages but we've never had much luck with them when the plants grew tall and the thunder storm wind picked up. The remainder, a 30ft row of ten plants, is supported by the vertical string method that you mentioned and modified Florida weave but without the weave So far it has been working well after a few storms but there is still a lot of summer to go through. Will try to remember to share the results later in the year. Good luck with yours, Kitties.
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Small garden progress. 
I made the captions bigger between the photos because I always have trouble noticing and scroll right by the regular font. If it's annoying, I'll make it smaller. Okay for comparison.. Here was "before" which was about a week and a half ago. We've had rain nearly every day (though not constant or drowning like the folks in Texas).
And here is close to the same shot today. The cucumbers, gourds and pumpkins are eating my small garden, but that's okay. 
Why yes, that is Johnsongrass going to seed in the background.  
Interesting thing--thyme planted in two spots...one right across the path from the first. The second spot never has thrived, even before there was shade from the cucumber vine. Now that the cucs are sprawling and shading it, the second bunch is dying back even more. Maybe one foot closer to the tomatoes did it? Maybe the garden faerie missed it with her wand? Heck, I dunno.... 
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Okay for comparison.. Here was "before" which was about a week and a half ago. We've had rain nearly every day (though not constant or drowning like the folks in Texas). Looks like you had a nice bump from mother nature, congrats. I just noticed in this batch of pics that you're using EMT, how's that working out? I can't say that we're completely happy with our setup of using a horizontal copper wire at the top. |
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Looks like you had a nice bump from mother nature, congrats. I just noticed in this batch of pics that you're using EMT, how's that working out? I can't say that we're completely happy with our setup of using a horizontal copper wire at the top. Quoted:
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Okay for comparison.. Here was "before" which was about a week and a half ago. We've had rain nearly every day (though not constant or drowning like the folks in Texas). Looks like you had a nice bump from mother nature, congrats. I just noticed in this batch of pics that you're using EMT, how's that working out? I can't say that we're completely happy with our setup of using a horizontal copper wire at the top. EMT....emergency medical technician? That's what I think of when I see that acronym. 
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EMT....emergency medical technician? That's what I think of when I see that acronym.
Nah, but I may need a EMT if the japanese beetles don't get off of the corn silk
Sorry, shortened that question too much. I was speaking of the metal pipe (EMT conduit) that you're using for the tomato support. Didn't know if you had prior experience with it in a high wind situation. I'm questioning my use of using a copper wire at the top of our support because it's not very rigid and thinking that the pipe could be a better way to go in the future. |
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Nah, but I may need a EMT if the japanese beetles don't get off of the corn silk
Sorry, shortened that question too much. I was speaking of the metal pipe (EMT conduit) that you're using for the tomato support. Didn't know if you had prior experience with it in a high wind situation. I'm questioning my use of using a copper wire at the top of our support because it's not very rigid and thinking that the pipe could be a better way to go in the future. Quoted:
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EMT....emergency medical technician? That's what I think of when I see that acronym.
Nah, but I may need a EMT if the japanese beetles don't get off of the corn silk
Sorry, shortened that question too much. I was speaking of the metal pipe (EMT conduit) that you're using for the tomato support. Didn't know if you had prior experience with it in a high wind situation. I'm questioning my use of using a copper wire at the top of our support because it's not very rigid and thinking that the pipe could be a better way to go in the future. I've been using that conduit for almost 20 years and have never had it blow over. I made those back when you could buy the conduit fairly inexpensively, and I chose it because I'd just gotten out of grad school and was an avid follower of Square Foot Gardening. ( As the grad assistant/TA, I'd even done some demonstration gardens and tests on the method for school.) The conduit is what Mel (The SFG guy) recommended, after experimenting with all kinds of things. Easily moveable, can be disassembled and put away (though I don't--they stand out there or lay outside year 'round). I made these for home, and even at a higher cost, you can certainly make sense of spending the money when you get that long out of them. ONE Of them has a split in the pipe where I figure it filled with water and busted one winter. They go fairly deep into the ground (you pound the "stake" ends flat to make them easy to drive. They flex like crazy, but they've never fallen. (That said, I have not grown large gourds or melons on them). One change I will make next year is to cut up some cattle panels and stand those in the frames--just using the frames as support. It's been my concern for a while that the string was causing damage to the tomato stems as the plants move in the wind, and this year I used SMALLER twine because that's what I had here and I needed to do it when I had the window of time. So this year I actually SEE the physical rub points--the damage. Next year I will use the cattle panels, God willing, and/or find some bigger, softer string. If I were not constantly behind and could actually do things on schedule, I'd bring those conduit frames inside each year, and they'd last forever. Kitties |
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Picture was taken in early June. Still need to rebuild the strawberry/rhubarb box. Also adding 4 more beds on another section of the yard. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v410/Remman1/1CB72D92-F479-4829-BE76-BB7D610631C2_zps1arcqu7k.jpg Really nice looking setup! |
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We went very small this year. http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n52/thederrick106/Garden/WP_20150715_001_zpst3cb5jne.jpg http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n52/thederrick106/Garden/WP_20150715_015_zps4h4sngtk.jpg vs previous years: http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n52/thederrick106/Garden/PICT0682_zpsy91fdpww.jpg Both setups are nice, and it's obvious why you need that fence.
That looks like a really nice henhouse in the background also. 
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Picture was taken in early June. Still need to rebuild the strawberry/rhubarb box. Also adding 4 more beds on another section of the yard. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v410/Remman1/1CB72D92-F479-4829-BE76-BB7D610631C2_zps1arcqu7k.jpg Wow...nice to have no weeds or mowing around the boxes! |
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hipower, will you show pics of your raised beds? Since I have to rebuild mine next year, I'm looking for ideas from anybody who will show theirs. kitties Quoted:
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Mine are all raised beds too. So much better. Drain well. Easier to work with concernign weeding, picking, etc. Dogs tend to stay out of them better. Just picked these this morning. Fried Squash tonight! <a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/user/hipower90hipower/media/garden%2007%20015%20001_zpsbzzezvlf.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d161/hipower90hipower/garden%2007%20015%20001_zpsbzzezvlf.jpg</a> hipower, will you show pics of your raised beds? Since I have to rebuild mine next year, I'm looking for ideas from anybody who will show theirs. kitties Sorry, took awhile  . Theres a few more, but their already done(mostly lettuce). Plus some blue berries and strawberries.
I dropped 2 trees in the background. Been working them off into firewood.. And my Kale (sp?)has been eaten up. 2 weeks ago, it ooked awesome
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