Around October (I think) a couple of things were sown in the coldframe being used this year, and after a long, cold winter - are finally beginning to show some real progress. Napa Cabbage (seeds shared by Thomas ) was sown, and also some carrots that were left from last year's seeds. All have finally germinated, and hopefully will have time to reach maturity before planting corn in this same area of the raised bed on April 1st.
I've also had some time to remove a portion of the native soil from the 28 foot long flowerbed constructed last year for the wife. This is gonna take a while to do, especially because of the current frequency of rain....If you look closely, a couple of wires are exposed that go right thru the thing, too. Those are the telephone and cable wires going to our house, and only flowers can be grown in this part....
Photo below - one thing that keeps bothering me, is what to do with the 8 landscaping timbers that were leftover from the project....I mean, the garden is big enough already. However, I could use them to make the swc/swp location taller - then if I ever decided to make a raised bed out of it, just need to dig it out and refill with compost.....Hmm....
In other news, a quick browse through the seed rack at my local Lowes revealed that they have Boxcar Willie and Black Krim tomato seeds now available...can you believe that? It kinda bothered me, because one of the rare black tomato varieties that us heirloom tomato growers truly appreciate is no longer "special".....at least in my mind. I may be over-emphasizing the situation, but really like the fact that several varieties grown in my garden have never been seen elsewhere in the county by other gardeners...
I went in there to buy fertilizer for the fruit trees, and almost picked up a large bag of 34-0-0....however, after reading the label, it was 10% sulfur - which will lower soil ph. In my location, we never add sulfur for the majority of things, because of the ever-present acidic properties of the native soil. As a result, lime has to be added most years, which would be counter-productive. I bet everyone that purchases that stuff doesn't even know the error of their ways, either.....sheesh....
It also snowed for the 5th time of the season on Wednesday night, and all kinds of cars were in ditches the following morning. I sure hope it's the last time for the year!
Take care, and happy gardening!
EG
15 comments:
Weirdly my soil is the same usually, but I could use some of the sulfur. The soil tests came back and the pH is a touch high. Over time it will lower fast enough. I'm going to have to fix the area with blueberries and cranberries though. I may just add peat moss for the cranberries, but for the blueberries I might go with sulfur. The decisions I have to make. At least I piled up the pine needles last fall on top of the cranberry beds.
Hey EG!! Thanks again for those tomato seeds. I just planted them under some lamps this week. Can't wait to eat them all summer long!!
I'm ready to get our garden going, but this crappy weather is slowing us down.
You'll figure out a project where you need those timbers.
Have a great weekend.
Hey, you could always build an arbor....
EG, We got that snow, too. This has been an amazing winter! I think we are all looking forward to spring and being in our gardens.
Alabama soil must be a whole lot different than around here. My beds initially tested at pH 7.7 so it's an ongoing job to bring down the pH a little, and lime would be unthinkable. I compost oak leaves to lower the pH. Bedrock is limestone (southern Indiana), which explains the alkalinity.
Love your ingenuity! I say you can't have enough growing space, but that's me who is woefully lacking.
Anyway, I need your technical assistance. Let me know if you can make sense of this and if I can use any old cordless drill (I've got one that has dead batteries). http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=207769&p=1
Thanks!
Just wondering if the landscape timbers are treated or not. If not treated where did you find them?
hoosiergardnr - they're treated
EG (Mr. Compost Guy)- I've got a quick question for you. My new backyard in Baton Rouge (think really hot and humid in the summer) has deep almost forest shade to fairly sunny areas (https://picasaweb.google.com/StatelyWarrenManor/Meadowood#5441904570903555922). Should I locate the new compost bins in the shade or sun?
Cheryl
StatelyWarrenManor@gmail.com
Cheryl - it should be located in the shade, but a little bit of filtered sunlight isn't a problem, either....
EG, That is so funny what you said about seeing the Black Krim seeds at Lowe's. I saw them Sunday when I was in our Lowes and my husband about had to drag me out of there because I was searching the package to see if it said what strain of Black Krim it was as I was mumbling under my breath...lol
Jeana
Jeana - I know! I kept wondering if it was open-pollinated, as well....
EG,
I found your website while surfing for automated cold frame openers and have been back several times to read other interesting topics...but what has prompted me to ad a comment is that fact that you are also a bass guitar player. We have common interests in gardening and music; check out my music here http://www.myspace.com/cyberocker
I also started raising bees last year, so have a pretty hectic schedule to work out now. I really like your website and I do have several battery operated drills to put to use as opener operators. Are you interested in green power generation, via solar, wind, bio-diesel, synthetic photosynthesis or magnetic Wankel??? The world could use someone with more common sense right now!!!
Keep up the great ideas!!
cy...
Anonymous - I'm glad that you enjoy my site, and also that my creations are useful to ya! I've done some research on the power generation, etc. - and will definitely check your webpage out. Thanks for the link!
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