re: 2022 Spring Garden Thread

Figured I would post a few progress pics of my first attempt at using grow bags. Overall it seems to be going well. Early evidence shows that there is no doubt growing in ground with good quality soil is the best way to go but it looks like decent yields are possible if a raised bed/row is not an option.

First two pics show the importance of proper spacing. The first pic is 2 eggplants in 1 bag, the other is 3. The plants in 3 have been plagued by bugs, are a little lighter in color, and just overall not as healthy looking as the one with 2 plants.





My tomatoes seem to be doing well, and it doesn’t look like there is a noticeable difference between planting 1,2, or 3 plants per bag. Most of the difference in growth is due to the varieties.

First 2022 harvest today

Anyone have any good tips on when to transition citrus trees (lemon and lime) from pot to in the ground? Age? Size? Root development?

quote:

---

Anyone have any good tips on when to transition citrus trees (lemon and lime) from pot to in the ground? Age? Size? Root development?

---

ASAP

I've read a couple of articles on papers that showed smaller trees that are put in the ground earlier outpace larger trees put in the ground later. Getting the roots established in their permanent place is more critical than size of the tree. Once the roots take hold you will see real growth. Getting it in the ground sooner bumps that timeline up and reduces the chances of the tree getting root bound in a pot.

The saying goes "The first year it sleeps, the 2nd year it creeps, the third year it leaps."

Any issues with spraying those on plants with fruit?

pepper plants are cheap and will produce all summer. I’d leave those alone and plant some new ones

man we need some rain in Hammond...I’ve been watering every damn day

Finally got around to taking a few pics. Everything is just now getting going since I was late putting in the ground. I get frustrated every year because I’m always behind but I’m starting to accept that’s just how it will be since I’m in accounting and tax season doesn’t care about my garden.

Tomatoes are doing good and I’m getting my first couple. These red cages are heavier duty than the round baskets but expensive. I’ll buy a couple each year until I have enough and make sure to keep up on the pruning on the ones with the round baskets in the meantime. I’ve got Cherokee purple, black krim, creole, beefmaster, and some type of cherry I can’t remember the name of.





The garlic is looking good. I’m hoping for better luck than last time. I need to thin out the okra, I had almost 100% germ rate. Clemson spineless. Peppers are dragging but I’ve got time for those. I’ve got mammoth jalapeños, cayenne, pablanos, and some belles. The garlic is music and purple.





My yard long beans and cucumbers are doing good. I’m trying some bush beans on the outside. I’ve never done them before. A couple watermelon in the front on each side of the massive green onion (it likes that spot).



He blackberry bush is going nuts. I’m looking forward to topping the new growth and cutting back the old canes after the blackberries ripen to make it look better and easier to mow/weedeat around.

Jan 2021:


Now:


I put another blackberry in the chicken run this week. The boys are obsessed with blackberries and the girls needed a little more shade.



They are plotting a way to get to that plant.



The cinnamon spice apple tree is lagging behind the winter banana. It was smaller when I got them but seems to bloom and send new growth out a few weeks later than the winter banana.



The winter banana was straight when I planted it but Laura gave her a lean to the SE.



Got my first couple of apples forming.



I want to get more strawberries. What I may do is put a bunch along the outside of the beans and cucumbers and have them planted there year round.



Also wouldn’t mind another blueberry bush but I’ll need some bigger pots that are wife approved. I had this one in a smaller pot and transferred it here back in March. It has started sending out a lot of new growth since then.



And last up, I decided to get some milkweed hoping to attract some monarchs to the yard. I figured the boys would get a kick out of watching the development.



Before I even got them in the ground I had this guy on one. He’s been hanging around ever since. He’ll probably make his change soon.

Looking for some help with what’s going on with my herbs. They are all right next to each other and have some white spots on the tops of the leaves.