120 days ago
by jroot |
4 comments »
We had a very boring patio from our lower entrance. It was quite small, being restricted in size because of a retaining wall which runs across the property. So, I thought, why not make it into a little room complete with a fireplace, and walls made of flowers. Now neighbours frequently come over for a visit to enjoy the ambience.
I just posted it under projects.
http://gardentenders.com/projects/165
These shots were taken this morning, after last night’s rainstorm, so the d...
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145 days ago
by Catspaw |
10 comments »
The garden of 2008 has proven to be very informative. Because of all the spring rain, everything got started late. This year some plants were started indoors. This proved rather futile. It would seem there are aspects of this technique that are not fully understood yet. Then there was a problem with tillage. This update covers what has been found to date and other information that might prove useful to others. Images are at the end with descriptions.
Starting Plants Indoors
The problems...
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167 days ago
by Eklectic |
4 comments »
Today, the first nice sunny day in quite a while, was the perfect day to plant the tomatoes and peppers!They are planted intermittently as peppers and tomatoes are companions. As well, marigolds all over to keep away pest. On the peripheries of this bed, I will be putting in some more garlic as well as some dill.All that is left is the mulching: the cardboard is soaking and I went to the Feed store today and got 4 bales of wood shaving. I will need at least 4 more which I will pick up tomorro...
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186 days ago
by Catspaw |
10 comments »
While trying to expand my gardens, there was one particular problem that started bothering me. Gardening should not be a series of back breaking tasks. As my gardens expanded, nature would take over very quickly. In order to keep up, my investment in labor became overwhelming. There was no way I could keep up with the weeds and bugs and such. Soon, the gardens would be a lost cause. I started understanding the strategies of mechanized farming. Instead of hand grooming this plant and that, it ...
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199 days ago
by dustynewt |
4 comments »
This magnolia (grandiflora?) is about five years old. My wife started it from seed. Quite a process. She took the fruit from the tree in September, removed the pulpy red outer layer to reveal the seed kernels. She then put them in a ziploc with some moist potting soil and stored it in the fridge until the end of January when she potted them. Only 3 out 12 sprouted. They grow very slowly.
In researching the project we found that the seed kernels may take up to 18 months to sprout (if a...
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212 days ago
by Catspaw |
9 comments »
Through the kindness of a neighbor, for the second year, the gardens have been thoroughly tilled. While the strategy is shifting to raised beds, tilling will suffice until those beds can be established.
In this case, pictures serve better than words. First up is the small garden. This usually contains popcorn. But, this year, red kidney beans shall be added for their nitrogen contribution. In addition, on the south side (so the corn doesn’t shade anything), tobacco will be planted. T...
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214 days ago
by Catspaw |
5 comments »
Intermezzo
While contemplating the upcoming planting season, something finally clicked. There are two elements that must be dealt with once crops are planted, weeds and bugs. Gardening for farm/market needs to be efficient. Labor and time determine whether any operation will be profitable, whether it be gardening, making widgets, or waiting on tables at a restaurant. Doing things by hand is labor intensive and takes time. Using power equipment is less labor intensive and takes less time. T...
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216 days ago
by Eklectic |
9 comments »
I need some help!!!
I got some seeds in the seed exchange and they are growing nicely.I know nothing about this plant: shade/sun? hight, width, sandy soil, clay?watering? and anything else anybody can tell me about it.
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263 days ago
by Catspaw |
1 comment »
Seed journal 2008 – Appendix B
Here is the next installment of the seed journal. Things not listed are the items that have already been planted. These items include the other fruit trees we’ve had for a couple of years. It also includes a number of items that we’ve seed banked from previous years. Descriptions are taken directly from Jung Seed Co. and have been edited for content, format, and grammar.
Tomatoes – Mr. Stripey
This heirloom from the Mid-Atlantic states can be traced bac...
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