The Garden Plot topic for Podcast Board DIS'ers: Share your successes and challenges!

[dpuck1998]

Looking good Jen! Your garden is much more organized than mine I went with the, stick it in the ground and hope for the best approach!!

 

[DVCsince02]

Looking good Jen! Your garden is much more organized than mine I went with the, stick it in the ground and hope for the best approach!!

Thanks! I am really excited. It's hard to tell how everything is doing when you see it every day. But, comparing the 2 pictures from when we first planted to today is really amazing.

 

[georgemoe]

Nice job Jen!

 

[dmccarty]

Am I the only one that hasn't had to water the garden more than a few times this year? We have enough water daily right now, between storms and just light sprinkles.

Last year we only had to water the garden once or twice even though officially we had a drought. It still rained at least 1/2-1 inch a week so the garden was happy.

This year we have been getting anywhere from 1-3 inches of rain a week.

Until the last two weeks. We have only gotten a bit of rain here and there.

I will have to water this weekend.

For the first couple of years I used a lawn sprayer. Then I put down a combination of flat and round soaker hoses for watering. The flat ones I don't like and wont use again. The round ones are easier to use.

The problem with the soaker hoses is that if the weeds get bad you can't see the hoses. Then when you weed it is easy to cut said soaker hoses. I think the round hoses can be fixed. But I don't see how the flat hoses can be fixed which is another reason I wont buy them again.

This year I figured I would just water by hand if I only have to water a couple times.

Later,
Dan

 

[georgemoe]

Last year we only had to water the garden once or twice even though officially we had a drought. It still rained at least 1/2-1 inch a week so the garden was happy.

This year we have been getting anywhere from 1-3 inches of rain a week.

Until the last two weeks. We have only gotten a bit of rain here and there.

I will have to water this weekend.

For the first couple of years I used a lawn sprayer. Then I put down a combination of flat and round soaker hoses for watering. The flat ones I don't like and wont use again. The round ones are easier to use.

The problem with the soaker hoses is that if the weeds get bad you can't see the hoses. Then when you weed it is easy to cut said soaker hoses. I think the round hoses can be fixed. But I don't see how the flat hoses can be fixed which is another reason I wont buy them again.

This year I figured I would just water by hand if I only have to water a couple times.

Later,
Dan

Hi Dan. Never used the flat ones but I use the round soakers exclusively to water. I try to bury them about 3 inches or so below the soil. They don't stay there all the time though.

Yes they can be repaired. When one of mine springs a geyser, I use these little gems found at Lowes or Home Depot.

I take it apart, remove the sleeve inside, and just use one of the collars to clamp around the leak. They come in 1/2 and 3/4" sizes. Works well.

 

[georgemoe]

I love seeing everyones photo updates. Took some more photos today after I weeded the garden. Here is one from 6/13 about two weeks after I planted on Memorial Day.

And then today. The romaine is ready.

 

[georgemoe]

Here bunny bunny.

 

[jeanigor]

So far this is the bounty of my efforts.

One of the Teddy Bear sunflowers started to show something other than green leafs.

And one of my two pepper plants to survive Gerardo, the Flora Eradicator (aka DP).

The only other thing that seems to be growing (besides weeds of course) are a couple of the Ruby sunflowers. In theory, this is what they are supposed to look like:

I think next year I am going to go the easy route and lay a bed of Phlox and sunflowers.

 

[klam_chowder]

Wow, everyone's gardens are so impressive!

Don, love what you've done with your kids & the garden

Some larvae are slowly eating all the mesclun I planted. They take out 1 to 3/day, just eating at the base and sometimes pulling the leaves under the soil to finish, other times they don't bother. I dig around and find the buggers -and take care of them - but I think they will eat them all before I get any to harvest

At least I've enjoyed some cilantro which is right beside the mesclun but obviously not interesting to them

Here are those plants that I can't tell if are weed or desirable

any thoughts?

these are over 5 ft tall!

these are about 3 ft tall and very neatly growing together...but it's on top of a low evergreen (the type that's supposed to be sideways growing) that has me suspect

this one looks pretty deliberately planted in a bed beside the house but it certainly lacks attractiveness...and not sure I should let this thing grow large, so close to the foundation

We're trying to prep and paint our house so our garden had certainly been neglected - amazing how the weeds can take over in just 3 weeks! We'll spend some time on it this weekend when we need a rest from being on the ladders - I feel tired already

cheers,

 

[UrsulasShadow]

The first couple of pictures look like goldenrod to me. Personally, I like them, but most consider them weeds.

The last one looks something like a plant I cultivate (Aruncus dioicus, or goatsbeard), but a really ugly version. I'd take it out just because it's ugly. And it's too close to the house. Any plant that grows where you don't want it is a weed...there are weeds I love, and weeds I hate.

The one in the middle...still trying to figure it out. Looks very familiar, and I know I'm going to feel stupid when I figure it out.

 

[DVCsince02]

When in doubt, pull the plant out!

 

[DVCsince02]

I finally bought some tomato cages this week. A little late, and I struggled to get them in the cage before they got too heavy, but it's done. Just a few broken limbs, but none with flowers on them.

Now the squash, cucumber, and zucchini need something to keep them off the ground.

I have 2 bean plants left.

 

[georgemoe]

And one of my two pepper plants to survive Gerardo, the Flora Eradicator (aka DP).

Not sure when you planted Todd but you should have some peppers on that by now. Hopefully it is getting enough sun. I at least see a flower there.

Wow, everyone's gardens are so impressive!

Some larvae are slowly eating all the mesclun I planted. They take out 1 to 3/day, just eating at the base and sometimes pulling the leaves under the soil to finish, other times they don't bother. I dig around and find the buggers -and take care of them - but I think they will eat them all before I get any to harvest

cheers,

Nice Karen. All my pepper, tomato, and eggplant plants are foiled at the base when planting to prevent cutworms and other chewing bastages. Get away from my food!

When in doubt, pull the plant out!

So politically correct in a family board kind of way.

I finally bought some tomato cages this week. A little late, and I struggled to get them in the cage before they got too heavy, but it's done. Just a few broken limbs, but none with flowers on them.

Now the squash, cucumber, and zucchini need something to keep them off the ground.

I have 2 bean plants left.

How about a dinner plate?

 

[georgemoe]

These are pictures from Saturday 6/26. Grape tomato's are coming along nice. Same for the Better Boys.

Supersteak are small and odd looking. Jalapenos are getting there.

My squash and cukes are slow. They seem to be doing better this week but still lagging the tomato and peppers.

One of the eggplants has a fruit started.

 

[jeanigor]

Not sure when you planted Todd but you should have some peppers on that by now. Hopefully it is getting enough sun. I at least see a flower there.

It has a few flowers, but it spent a lot of time recovering from being nearly dead.

 

[georgemoe]

It has a few flowers, but it spent a lot of time recovering from being nearly dead.

Then I say it's in pretty good shape given the situation. Sprinkle with PD before you leave next time.

 

[klam_chowder]

George, your tomatoes look great!

Thx a mint for your opinion, Mindy! We're finally going to have a beautiful stretch of weather right thru the long weekend so lots of time to get out and clean up the garden - I'll be pulling/digging all these out

cheers,

 

[corky441]

Karen is this picture - the plant on the far right looks to be a hosta - you can easily divide it if it's too large and move it ( they like shade )

The plant on the far left is a variety of scented geranium - Pelagornium. I have one that blooms with a bluish flower each year. I have found that it tends to fall over - but if you cut a small tomato cage in half it works perfectly around the plants that need a little structure.
If you buy the large tomato cages - you can get 3 plant hoops out of each one

I have no idea about the one in the middle - I would say when in doubt -pull it out

 

[dpuck1998]

Home today after being gone for a week and tended the garden

The pumpkins are everywhere! Picked a pepper today and the banana peppers are looking good, tomatoes are close to picking and the herbs are all usable. Lost some spinach, but everything else seems to be doing well.

Banana Peppers

Cabbage

Full Bed

Tomatoes

First Veggie Pick'ed

 

[mainegal]

My first post on this thread.

I am not really a gardener.

We have a community garden plot, four foot by eight foot.

Tonight, we ate a bit of perfect broccoli!

The cilantro grew tall with fine feather leaves with flowers at the top. This morning it has toppled over and pulled it's roots right out of the ground!

Lettuce was enjoyed by slugs more than us.

We did not make anything for the peas to climb on. They are a tangled mess!

This is our first attempt at gardening. We are calling it our science experiment.