Mid June 2012

Mid June 2012

Last years garden didn't do so well. Partially because we got so much rain, it seemed like it rained all through the summer last year, and partially because I didn't do anything with the soil from the prior year, just stuck plants in it. They didn't like that.

This year is going much better!
We have a new garden project with some friends this year. A 24' by 48' open field plot in a historical park...

It huge!

Started 1/2 from seeds like I usually do and then we went and got different kinds of plants from some green houses. We're trying some new things like brussels sprouts, egg plant, bok choy along side the standard fare of tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, peas, peppers and corn. We have plenty of room and full sun out here!

Here's the seeds I started...

Once we got that going I got to work on the stuff back home...

Everything in the Grow Camp came back on it own! We had a bunch of lettuce in there but we ate it.

Mainly herbs like chives, dill, basil,

This year I turned all the soil (between the plants) and added some cheap compost on the top.

Red skins came back strong, I only planted about 6 of them late last year...

Once again trying this weird hanging tomato pot that never really works very well, only I completely turned the soil inside and added compost this time. Trying cherry tomatoes this time around. Maybe they will fall, and maybe they will try and grow up and break and die...?

This is a composting ball. It's quite unique, sits on ball bearings so you can easily roll it around to stir stuff up.

Requires a big wrench to get the top off. Then there are tubes all around for air flow and they poke inside about 3" - 4" to act like tines in a blender to mix all the organics together.

It does tend to leave a crop circle in the lawn unless you move it occasionally.

Dackel likes to help out.

On the porch I made sure to thoroughly mix (turn) all of the soil in the pots and then add new on top. Last year I didn't turn the soil, just added some, and I think that is why our plants started out looking great but then died out. We actually had some good looking cucumbers starting and then they up and died.

I'm starting a few Elm trees called a Shady Tree. We have these at work and they are a small but very durable tree and really cast some shade. If they keep doing well I'll try putting them in the yard next year.

Brussels sprouts (and Dacky trying to trigger a motion activated sprinkler head)!

Maters.

Strawberries in a controlled environment this time! They took over in the Grow Camp, never again.

Egg plant.

  We took the clear vinyl sides completely off for the summer. The two on the right side were full of cracks and holes due to the sun. 

The cables are still holding. I'll wait until one breaks before dig any deeper into that potential issue.

He doesn't look it, but Dacky is really having a blast trying to trigger this sprinkler. It only runs for a few seconds but it's enough to cool him off and keep him intrigued to make it go again!

That's our start for 2012.