Planted Out Today (March 17) - "Luck Of The Irish"??

rnewste · March 17, 2011

Well, after reading the Thread on planting out by the Lunar calendar and it not "resonating" with me personally, I thought since I am 25% Irish that today, St. Patrick's Day would be good charma for this ole boy. So, with a Guinness in one hand and a trowel in the other, I went into the garden, respectfully bowed East toward the St. James Gate Brewery in Dubin - and began to plant!

Then the fun began.

Cuostralee:

Goose Creek:

One of the more "exciting" trials I am doing this Season is a head-to-head comparison between the Marianna's Peace cross with Neves Azorean Red which Soren sent me:

And the Brandywine cross with Neves Azorean Red "TomsTrees" sent me a few years ago:

(BranNar on the left, MarNar on the right):

As I was hammered with insects on the undersides of the tomato leaves last Season, I am trialing a silverized mulch this Season to see if the Sun's reflection will "confuse" the pests.

It was a real joy planting in the EarthTainer III "convertible" design this year, as the new cage system simply snaps over the rim of the 'Tainer, with a few clips AFTER all of the planting is completed!

(Pink Boar on the left, Black and Brown Boar on the right):

Meanwhile, the Snow Peas continue to produce:

And the second 'Tainer planting is coming along:

Lastly, the carrots seem to have done well over the Winter:

So, another fun Season begins:

But right about now, I am all out of Guinness.

Raybo

March 17, 2011

Nice photos. Nice "garden".

How long did it take you to accumulate the "Tainers" and figure out a decent set-up?

rnewste · March 17, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillysWoodPile

Nice photos. Nice "garden".

How long did it take you to accumulate the "Tainers" and figure out a decent set-up?

Willys,

I've been working / improving on the EarthTainer design for over 4 years now. Mechanically, I consider it "complete". Still a lot of trial and error on the Combo Mix to optimize a balance of wicking and moisture management.

I now have a 'Tainer "farm" of 32 units. 14 for tomatoes, 9 for sweetcorn, 3 CukeTainers, 4 for Peppers, and 2 CarrotTainers.

Raybo

kath · March 18, 2011

You really have a beautiful setup there, Raybo, and every time I see your pictures I'm amazed all over again with the neat simplicity of it all. Someday, perhaps...but for now we're planning a garden extension for the second year in a row!

Happy St. Patrick's Day, belatedly from a 1/4 Irish lass.

Kath

rnewste · March 18, 2011

Hi Kath,

Thanks! After about 5 years of trial and effort, I think I am getting to a near final EarthTainer design. Being able to fill, fertilize, and plant without the cage system interfering is a godsend.

Now, my focus in with the Combo Mix and additives. One can go nuts with all of the myco and other options, so I am trying to find the single most effective products to use. Today, I treated several of the plants with Roots Excelurator which is advertised to accelerate root development:

Next, I will commence the Biota Max / MycoGrow trials and how they compare to Great White myco.

Fun stuff!

Raybo

ireilly · March 18, 2011

>>> But right about now, I am all out of Guinness.

I'll bet there was lot more bowing to Dublin than usual that day.

Just a little joke. I'm not sure anything would have gotten planted if I was in the Garden of Guinness.....

Looks wonderful as always.

les matzek · March 18, 2011

ray,

i am trialing my left over roots excelurator to the new kid on the
block rapid start from g.h. if they give me equal results i will use
rapid start as it is only half the price of roots excelurator we
shall see.

les

kath · March 18, 2011

Oh yeah, Raybo, it is fun stuff, which is why we all do it, huh? It would get boring if we couldn't keep coming up with things to trial and perfect, no?! Love seeing you post the results.

Kath

rnewste · March 18, 2011

This Season, I am growing some old stand-bys as well as trying some new ones thanks to Damon (sprtsguy).

Berkeley Tie Dye Pink (2)
Black & Brown Boar
Brandywine Cowlicks (2)
Brandywine Sudduth
Brandywine x Neves Azorean Red (NARX F5) (2)
Cuostralee (2)
Dona
Donskoi Red Heart
Goose Creek (6)
Japanese Black Trifele x Brandywine
Kosovo
Marianna’s Peace x Neves Azorean Red (MarNar F1) (2)
Murray Smith
Pink Boar
Purple Haze F6
Rief Red Heart
Rutgers
Stump of the World

Raybo

organichris · March 21, 2011

Ehhhxcellent!

lurley · March 21, 2011

So jealous! Seeding the last of my tomatoes today.

redneckplanter · March 23, 2011

nice tainers.never seen those before......
i likes it...smiles

ralphsassie · March 23, 2011

I love your garden! I've been wondering what to do with all my 'tainers now that they are empty. What a great idea! Is that a watering system that you have in each one? I admire your cages. You've put a lot of thought and work into this. May this be your best year yet!

rnewste · March 23, 2011

redneck / ralph,

You can get some background on the EarthTainer Project at this link:

http://earthtainer.org

Raybo

March 17, 2011	#1
rnewste Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Campbell, CA Posts: 4,064	Planted Out Today (March 17) - "Luck Of The Irish"?? Well, after reading the Thread on planting out by the Lunar calendar and it not "resonating" with me personally, I thought since I am 25% Irish that today, St. Patrick's Day would be good charma for this ole boy. So, with a Guinness in one hand and a trowel in the other, I went into the garden, respectfully bowed East toward the St. James Gate Brewery in Dubin - and began to plant! Then the fun began. Cuostralee: Goose Creek: One of the more "exciting" trials I am doing this Season is a head-to-head comparison between the Marianna's Peace cross with Neves Azorean Red which Soren sent me: And the Brandywine cross with Neves Azorean Red "TomsTrees" sent me a few years ago: (BranNar on the left, MarNar on the right): As I was hammered with insects on the undersides of the tomato leaves last Season, I am trialing a silverized mulch this Season to see if the Sun's reflection will "confuse" the pests. It was a real joy planting in the EarthTainer III "convertible" design this year, as the new cage system simply snaps over the rim of the 'Tainer, with a few clips AFTER all of the planting is completed! (Pink Boar on the left, Black and Brown Boar on the right): Meanwhile, the Snow Peas continue to produce: And the second 'Tainer planting is coming along: Lastly, the carrots seem to have done well over the Winter: So, another fun Season begins: But right about now, I am all out of Guinness. Raybo Last edited by rnewste; March 18, 2011 at 07:05 PM.

March 17, 2011	#2
WillysWoodPile Guest Posts: n/a	Nice photos. Nice "garden". How long did it take you to accumulate the "Tainers" and figure out a decent set-up?

March 18, 2011	#4
kath Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: zone 6b, PA Posts: 5,664	You really have a beautiful setup there, Raybo, and every time I see your pictures I'm amazed all over again with the neat simplicity of it all. Someday, perhaps...but for now we're planning a garden extension for the second year in a row! Happy St. Patrick's Day, belatedly from a 1/4 Irish lass. Kath

March 18, 2011	#6
ireilly Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2010 Location: Dallas Posts: 344	>>> But right about now, I am all out of Guinness. I'll bet there was lot more bowing to Dublin than usual that day. Just a little joke. I'm not sure anything would have gotten planted if I was in the Garden of Guinness..... Looks wonderful as always.

March 18, 2011	#7
les matzek Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Landers, CA Posts: 191	ray, i am trialing my left over roots excelurator to the new kid on the block rapid start from g.h. if they give me equal results i will use rapid start as it is only half the price of roots excelurator we shall see. les

March 21, 2011	#10
organichris Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 630	Ehhhxcellent!

March 21, 2011	#11
lurley Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 741	So jealous! Seeding the last of my tomatoes today.

March 23, 2011	#12
redneckplanter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: texas Posts: 13	nice tainers.never seen those before...... i likes it...smiles

March 23, 2011	#13
ralphsassie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: nc Posts: 4	I love your garden! I've been wondering what to do with all my 'tainers now that they are empty. What a great idea! Is that a watering system that you have in each one? I admire your cages. You've put a lot of thought and work into this. May this be your best year yet!