re: The 2021 Garden Thread

Well damn. We should kick you out of the garden thread.

So much for a head start, huh?

Definitely better to direct sow cucumbers. It is nice to have a few that get a head start though.

Just finished walking around in the garden and checking everything out. Man, my tomato plants are looking really healthy (knocks on wood). I’ve been using just a little bit of the Alaska fish fertilizer once a week and I’m definitely going to get more.



Peppers and eggplant are looking pretty good, too. I have a feeling they’ll take off more once the weather warms up even more.

Here’s the yard long beans and dasher II cucumbers. I think they’ll start taking off with some warmer weather as well.



The sunflowers are also starting to get some size to them.


And what you see behind the lattice is my beehive. Figured I’d set it out and let it get acclimated. I read somewhere that that might help prevent absconding. I should get my bees in a couple of weeks. Before you judge the artwork, you should know that my kids painted the hive and it is beautiful.

I’m always amazed how healthy your tomato plants look.

Here’s some pics for my irrigation setup. I just don’t have the container lines setup yet, but i put a 2nd link to last year’s setup, just have another valve upstream from all containers.

Current pics

I liked the cheap “super sprayers” for my first 2 beds cus im trying to keep cucumber seeds moist, but might change out once they grow.

I wish i grew more cabbage but my inground soil is straight clay so it’s PIA to dig up and replace.

Container irrigation

Btw I’m sticking with straight big beef for now on for slicing tomatoes they always end up perfect.

(Last Season)

I am not planting yard long beans this year. I still have a freezer full from last year. I am planting Ky. Wonder pole beans. We'll see how that goes. Those yard longs will wear your arse out.

Your beehive is awesome. Those bees are going to be so happy. Tell your kids I love it!

Photos:

Herb and pepper box:



Zephyr squash. Tiger zucchini in the background:



Pink Berkeley tie dye and large barred boar tomatoes. The 2 smaller plants behind these are Cherokee purples from the store. All the others are dwarf plants.



Fred’s tie dye:



Cucumber transplants:



Peppers:

Pillage. I mostly lurk here but really enjoy your posts. I am in the Lafayette area also and have a very similar setup to you as far as drip-line irrigation (3rd spring) and pine needle mulch (1st time). Planted tomatoes, peppers, and egg plant today from starters. Just curious what your watering schedule is programmed for the young plants as i struggled to get it dialed in early last year. I find its easier later in the plants life.

quote:

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Which soil do y’all use for raises gardens? I bought some miracle grow moisture control for mine today and was wondering if there was something better and/or cheaper

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You could get a bulk garden mix at a landscaping place or nursery. It’s usually really good soil. They’ll load it in back if your truck with a tractor bucket. Each bucket is about a half yard. I get all of my garden soil from Lastrapes in Opelousas. It’s $25 per half yard. That may be a little far for you. There’s a Lafayette Materials on Verot School Rd. I would definitely go and talk to them.