Put up the mesh today on the “A-Frame” and replanted and moved some of them to change things around, though I think I just killed a few in the process. I also pulled off 2 foot “suckers” off the tomatoes ( thanks for reminding me Meesh). Got some plants from the despot, rather than reseed some of them. Am going to pick up a few more tonight, I think.
Between this and setting up the “shop” in the garage, my idle hands are well occupied. Tomorrow is the completion of the trellis area and getting stuff in the “bushy plant” area as well as more work in the garage.
Almost everything is growing well, have a few other squashes growing as well as more of the yellow in the works. Tomatoes are flowering so there should be some soon. Can’t seem to get the San Marzano started or the beans, but the first set of corn is really coming along, trouble with the next group, but put the next set in a seed tray to start them off.
Still haven’t been able to get the “Bush Plants” started, but the back is doing better so hopefully this week.
Had trouble with the hemp, so am just starting some new ones. I know it’s late, but what’s a boy to do. Sebrings “00 Cherry” should be just what the doctor ordered (and they may actually grow right).
I figure that’s my normal outcome, so anything better than that and Bob’s your Uncle.
Been quiet here. Guess they got smart from the last time (1992) and looted in the rich areas. If it would have been Watts, Compton or DTLA, it may have worked its way down Imperial Hwy by now and I would have to be a honky version of a “Rooftop Korean”.
I put 10 seeds of the “00 Cherry” and 10 seeds of “Blue Tara” in water on Tues night. was going to transfer them yesterday morning or mid day, but forgot. I was going to give them another day in the water and do it today, but when I looked at them late last night, 9 out of 10 of the BT had 1/2in tap roots sticking out so I put them in cells. I guess they don’t have the same problem as the 00 Cherry (which one look like it might have cracked). We will see.
Of the first 10, which I just soaked and planted, only one came up. I did another 8 in the paper towel method. In that group, 5 of 8 cracked after 3 days. Of those 5, 4 of them had at least a bit of tap root showing and the fourth was just cracked. Guess I may have some “Full Term” Hemp after all.
Things seem to be humming along. Corn is doing well, some are nice and plump. and I am now getting yellow squash semi-regularly. Cucumbers and Tomatoes are starting slowly, but are coming along and finally have all the peppers in the ground. I am hoping that if I can keep them watered every day and they stay cool, once the summer breaks, I can keep things going through the end of the year (yes, the only good thing about this place is the year round gardening).
There are finally plants in the gutter; the three donated by @Meesh (thank you girl) and two of my Blue Tara’s. There was something I didn’t count on, though… weight! Seems the whole setup wants to lean to one side (had to cut some corners to get it done so…). I am just going to reinforce it with some angle brackets for now and redesign it after the plants are done.
Put together some supports with 4x4 pieces cut at 45degrees and two mounted on a 1x4 on either side of the gutter. The buckets still leaned a bit, so I put a chunk of wood under the leaning side.
Also had to get some cinder blocks to go under the tank (trash can). Once again, I didn’t allow for weight. I originally had it on top of a tub and when I started to fill it, the tub collapsed and spill about 20 gal of water all over. Cinder blocks are holding strong.
Tomatoes are finally starting to produce. I took a picture, but you really couldn’t see them. I also started pulling some corn. out of 4 ears, I only had a few kernel missing so wind pollination is doing okay, though I think I will give the second set a shake, just in case.
They’re not particularly cheap for folks like us but definitely fair/reasonable. They do custom and pre-fab & variety of colors & meshes.
2nd choice: harborfreight mesh tarps; they’re cheap but the packaging says 65-70% shade & I’d say that’s probably an overestimate but solor-angle-to-surface makes a big difference. It’s very hard to get a perfect exposure from sunrise to sunset & season to season… 'Still conjuring up an ideal shape in my mind & it’s not conducive to 2x4’s & square things.
Actually, the pricing on the “bulk” isn’t bad and some of the “sized” ones are reasonable as well. The thing that gets me is the “3 weeks” regardless of whether you buy it off the roll or made to size.
Hadn’t thought of HF, which is funny as I get a stiffy whenever I see the catalog…
Will have to take a look. The area along the fence gets sun all day long, so when the hottest part of the day comes around, when it gets in the 90’s or higher, just shrivels them up. I have taken to flooding the area in the mornings, even on the 80’s days and that seems to help a bit. being that most of the stuff is non-heat loving, makes it worse.
I finally got the seeds from Meesh and there are afew that are interesting, but I have to ask, the seeds in the jar, are they poppy seeds? If so, do you know which one? Have been thinking about growing some for seeds (to eat).
Dang. They’re either california poppy, ornamental asian poppy(not the dreamflowers), or (and i think most likely) a purple-flowering, low-growing drought-resistant thing. Start some in a pot & see what comes up before using the whole thing.
@Meesh you might regret giving up the whole stash!
I’ve got more stuff collected this year for x-mas.
I am always told that life is a series of lessons and that we never stop learning, whether it’s something small or something really important. It seems to be true with me.
Yesterday, I learned a huge lesson…
When you put together a large system, before you mix up 30 GALLONS of nutrients, you might want to make sure THE SYSTEM DOESN’T LEAK LIKE A SIEVE.
Spent the whole day today sealing leaks and fixing the setup so that it works properly. After about 7 hours, and multiple layers of silicon sealer, it looks like it may be fixed.
I sympathize on doing test runs with plain water; Just used an in-line fertilizer injector with my garden hose to feed plants & was high & it was dark…pretty sure I got it right we’ll see.
Must say though… those black surfaces are not good, especially the nutrient reservoir. In winter yes, but not now. It’ll grow shit & the temp will possibly cause level fluctuations(?)…want root zone to be cool.
I actually mixed up with nutrients, but it wasn’t too bad, I only wasted a small amount of the nutrients. Figure I will make sure this time.
I actually wanted a tan one but they sold out. Was going to paint it before I put everything together, but had to get it setup because of the plants from @Meesh (That’s right, it’s her fault… ). Am still going to paint it, just forgot to pick it up the other day and the heat is affecting the car, so since I couldn’t get to the Despot early today, will have to get out tomorrow. Which would be better, a white or tan or …?
Okay folks, Serious question here. The three plants I got from @Meesh are wilting, even though there is plenty of water in the reservoir. It was my understanding that landscape fabric is two way, it lets liquid through from both the top and the bottom. Am I correct, or did I wrap the cups with the wrong side out?
I have also come to the realization that I HATE CORN! It looked like it was not getting enough water when we were getting the mid to high 90’s, so I saturated the area, and because they don’t root very deep, about 5 of them fell over. It really sucks, put the seed corn too deep and it won’t grow, put it too shallow (or how deep they tell you to) and the damned things fall down.
no idea what’s going on, sounds like black = hot & i’m guessing the roots are being cooked and/or haven’t reached water. hand-water until they do. also possible way over-watered. ?
looting or what? 
we’ll see.
