General discussion regarding the techniques and methods used to successfully grow tomato plants in containers.
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September 11, 2012
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#1 |
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Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Stanchfield, MN
Posts: 41
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Converting raised beds to Automatic Watering SIP's
IMG_4760.jpg
IMG_4753.jpg IMG_4755.jpgAfter converting one raised bed to a Sub-Irrigated Planter (SIP). We decided to move two beds to an area of the yard that gets more sun and to also build a third bed designed to fit the steep bank. Last edited by george sr; September 11, 2012 at 06:55 AM. Reason: add photos |
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September 11, 2012
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#2 |
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Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Stanchfield, MN
Posts: 41
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More photos
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September 11, 2012
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#3 |
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Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Central OK, USDA-7a / AHS-8
Posts: 157
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Very cool, I have been researching sip raised beds here recently. This year was my first try at a garden in so many years it may as well be my first time, it went badly for many reasons. So, i took notes, then researched a lot. I like the solution to make it auto watering! I will be watching this with interest for next year's plant outs.
Gary |
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September 11, 2012
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#4 |
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Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Stanchfield, MN
Posts: 41
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Spacing the drainage pipe
Came up with this solution to keeping the pipes where they belong.
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September 11, 2012
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#5 |
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Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Central OK, USDA-7a / AHS-8
Posts: 157
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Have you had one of these planted long enough to give a report on how well they are doing?
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September 11, 2012
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#6 |
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Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Stanchfield, MN
Posts: 41
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I converted my first bed about a month ago, but haven't planted it yet. I do know, it does work, because the soil is moist on top. We have had a very dry summer and the bed stays moist.
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September 11, 2012
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#7 |
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Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Central OK, USDA-7a / AHS-8
Posts: 157
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Awesome. Can't wait to see actual results.
 I have been playing with Diatomaceous Earth in a bucket sip system as a pre-lude to some raised bed sip's for next year. Last edited by Diriel; September 11, 2012 at 09:36 PM. Reason: add |
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September 12, 2012
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#8 |
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Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Stanchfield, MN
Posts: 41
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I'm using this recipe for potting mix posted by Larry Hall
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September 12, 2012
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#9 |
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Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Northern Minnesota - zone 3
Posts: 3,231
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 Very nice set-up for the beds, and great use of your sunny hill. I love the steps beside the beds, everything looks great! Are you planning on growing any lettuce or greens in them this fall? How do you attach the plastic covering, and vent it? Any more pictures?
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Dee ************** |
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September 12, 2012
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#10 |
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Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Stanchfield, MN
Posts: 41
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http://s950.photobucket.com/albums/a...dening%202011/
http://s950.photobucket.com/albums/a...dening%202012/ Here's the last two years of gardening photos on Photo Bucket. The raised beds were originally built in 2009 based on a design from the Oregon State University. http://extension.oregonstate.edu/cat...c/ec1627-e.pdf I've been making changes constantly. George Sr I also keep a garden journal on Folia http://myfolia.com/gardener/GeorgeSr/journals Last edited by george sr; September 12, 2012 at 05:10 PM. |
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September 13, 2012
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#11 |
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Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Northern Minnesota - zone 3
Posts: 3,231
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Wow! I checked out some of your albums, and I can see you are a darned serious gardener!
 Really nice to have all the protective frames ready for use on your beds. We have some friends that retired a few years ago, and built a house on a farmstead near Rush Lake.
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Dee ************** |
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September 13, 2012
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#12 |
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Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Stanchfield, MN
Posts: 41
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Here's a video that Larry Hall made. His recipe for the potting mix is what I'm using
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUHWU...&feature=g-upl |
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September 15, 2012
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#13 |
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Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Stanchfield, MN
Posts: 41
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Installed frames for "cloche"
The frames are installed
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September 17, 2012
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#14 |
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Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Northern Minnesota - zone 3
Posts: 3,231
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Lots of work, there - but you'll no doubt make up for it next summer when watering is a breeze. Are you going to just test it in one row of beds for now, or are you planning on converting all your beds to this system in the next year? I enjoyed watching you and your wife in the video, you have a beautiful property and lots of space to try innovative ideas.
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Dee ************** |
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September 17, 2012
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#15 |
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Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Stanchfield, MN
Posts: 41
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Dee,
The drawback to the SIP is the cost of the peat moss. Last fall when I started this conversion, the peat was $4.50/bag now it's $7.49/bag. I plan on converting the three beds closest to the house and adding stairs to the ends of each bed. One is empty now where we grew the garden beans. One has green peppers which I'll cover this evening due to a frost warning and the last one has carrots. Thanks for the encouraging comments. George |
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| automatic watering system , raised bed , sip |
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