This year I am trying starts from seeds. With exception to the squashes, I planted everything on April 8.
Directions on Squash (April 23):
Transplant seedling plant after 1 month and after frost
Harvest: before heavy frost, cut leaving a 3" vine, don't pull; set squash in sun for a week or two to cure. Cover at night if frost is likely. Store in a cool, dry place.
Acorn: 85 days, Spaghetti: 95 days, Butternut 105 days
Next year I need to plant the seeds in March
Monday, April 23, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Garden 2011
AKA The Year of Neglect
I spent $75 on plants and half of them died. We had two windy days with not enough water. They dried out.
The majority of May and June was cloudy and wet, which stunted the growth of the plants. They did not get the sunlight and heat they needed to flourish.
Consequently, the combination of planting two weeks later than I usually do (end of May rather than the middle) + a long, wet, cloudy spring/ beginning of summer + having to replace some of my plants in June = not much growth. Furthermore, my heart wasn't in it this year and by September (harvest time), I was pregnant with morning sickness.
A few tomato plants did fine, I planted way too much basil (1/3 of an entire box), peppers were okay. Zuchinni grew 3 feet long! I guess it was okay, considering none of the vegetables sounded good to me at harvest time and I gave most of it away to neighbors.
I dumped a lot of unripe but frozen tomatoes and extra apples into the soil. Didn't till. Didn't mix in with a spade until February. We'll see what kind of compost that gives us in the spring...
Our compressed wood is already weathering. I applied two coats of poly and need to do that at least once a year, preferably twice.
Next year:
- Save/buy seeds and start growing inside by April 1st
- Wall of waters for tomatoes by middle of April
- Get all plants in by May 15
- Aluminum tomato cages are toast--boys play "robot" with them-- need to replace with the sturdy kind
- Basil and peppers do not need as much room as I have given them in the past
- Squashes can be planted at ends and flow over box
- Maintain consistent water flow/ adjust as needed with weather
- Enjoy an early and plentiful harvest!
I spent $75 on plants and half of them died. We had two windy days with not enough water. They dried out.
The majority of May and June was cloudy and wet, which stunted the growth of the plants. They did not get the sunlight and heat they needed to flourish.
Consequently, the combination of planting two weeks later than I usually do (end of May rather than the middle) + a long, wet, cloudy spring/ beginning of summer + having to replace some of my plants in June = not much growth. Furthermore, my heart wasn't in it this year and by September (harvest time), I was pregnant with morning sickness.
A few tomato plants did fine, I planted way too much basil (1/3 of an entire box), peppers were okay. Zuchinni grew 3 feet long! I guess it was okay, considering none of the vegetables sounded good to me at harvest time and I gave most of it away to neighbors.
I dumped a lot of unripe but frozen tomatoes and extra apples into the soil. Didn't till. Didn't mix in with a spade until February. We'll see what kind of compost that gives us in the spring...
Our compressed wood is already weathering. I applied two coats of poly and need to do that at least once a year, preferably twice.
Next year:
- Save/buy seeds and start growing inside by April 1st
- Wall of waters for tomatoes by middle of April
- Get all plants in by May 15
- Aluminum tomato cages are toast--boys play "robot" with them-- need to replace with the sturdy kind
- Basil and peppers do not need as much room as I have given them in the past
- Squashes can be planted at ends and flow over box
- Maintain consistent water flow/ adjust as needed with weather
- Enjoy an early and plentiful harvest!
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