2014 Community garden...

[kath]

Originally Posted by Dork Fish

I like the idea of sowing outdoor but I don't have a long growing season. I wonder if that changes things for cukes?

Cucumbers don't like to be transplanted so I planted in peat pots. They only took a few days to germinate and grew really fast indoors and needed to be set out at 3 wks.

If you can pre-warm the soil for a couple weeks before planting, that'll help. I've also used lightweight row cover to protect them a bit from wind, insects, and cool temps but you really shouldn't put them out too early or they'll just sit there and get stressed. The seeds will rot in cool, wet soil.

kath

[Tormato]

Andrea,


Seeds went out this morning.

We'll see if you change your mind again (on varieties), in a few days.

Gary

[Dork Fish]

Just planted tomato, cucumber, squash and zucchini seeds!

[feldon30]

Originally Posted by Dork Fish

Each plot is 5' x 16'. I am thinking 5 tomato plants per plot?

I put 14 tomato plants in a 4x16 bed on 2' centers. Never had a problem even with them being 6-8' tall and 2 feet wide.

[Dork Fish]

Okay, I'm just about done planting. Got the tomatoes in today. Crossing fingers for no frost! As much as I would have loved to get the T.T. cages, I had to go with CRW. It is was it is. So I have to deal with the rust.


1884, KBX, Paul R, F.l.o.h, Choco S


Cherokee P, Terhune, JD Spec, Cptn Lucky, Carbon


All Opalka...I still have three more tomatoes to plant here. Then I can finish the mulch.


Cumcumbers, bush beans, dill, Earls Faux and Mortgage Lifter


Cucumbers, poles beans, various lettuces, kale, swiss chard


Couple of Zucchini and squash. Still need to plant something else in this one. probably some basil, etc...




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[Chucker]

Looks awesome, I'm jealous, wish I had a community garden close to where I live.

[Dork Fish]

Thank you! Yes, it is working out nicely!

[feldon30]

Originally Posted by Dork Fish

Okay, I'm just about done planting. Got the tomatoes in today. Crossing fingers for no frost! As much as I would have loved to get the T.T. cages, I had to go with CRW. It is was it is. So I have to deal with the rust.

Looking good! I still feel you are being overly cautious about space. I would at least add a second row of tomato plants to each of those 5x16 beds to bring the number to 10.

Being in zone 5, it seems unlikely that you'll have the 8 foot tall, 3 foot wide monsters we get in the Gulf. Also it's important to note that the first two years I had a garden, I used galvanized fencing rolled into cages. It was only later that I got some Texas cages and I still have to supplement and mix-and-match galvanized cages with TTCs. I'm using 12 TTCs and 14 hand-made cages this year.

But I realize you may be limited by available plants, available CRW, etc. or just don't want to be overwhelmed with work in your first year at this location. After all, gardening is supposed to be more fun than work! Looking forward to the pictures of your progress!

[Dork Fish]

I know Unfortunately, I planted carrots in front of each of the tomato beds. So now more room. I can see how everything does this year and I can adjust things for next year.

I am going to try the Mittleider method this year. New to this method, so this will also be a learning curve. I did not add the dolomite to the soil when planting because I really don't know the PH of this soil mixture. It made me a little nervous. All of the compost was provided by a local organic compost farm(http://www.compostmatters.com/). So It is brand new, never planted in.

Okay...after a little research, i found the lab results of the compost that is being used. http://www.compostmatters.com/WholeFoods.pdf

[Tormato]

How tall do you think the pole beans are going to get?

Gary

[Dork Fish]

Taller than my trellis LOL The U Posts are 7', but 6' once in the ground.

[feldon30]

Are you too far north to find stands of bamboo? Cause that makes a great trellis. Just pull over by the side of the road and whack a few stalks.

[Dork Fish]

LOL, not sure. I just had the u post already.

Dork Fish,

I took a friend yesterday to see the community garden my church sponsors.

http://www.dallasnews.com/news/metro...-in-denton.ece

I have volunteered at the garden in the past, but this year; other things have taken precedence over working in the garden. I plan on helping plant sweet potato slips tomorrow.

We have a large fruit orchard and about ten acres of row crops. The other acreage is dedicated to individual plots for the community with most measuring 10' X 15' and 15' X 15'. The plots are provided first come, first served to anyone who wants one at no cost. Water to each plot is also provided at no cost. The only rules apply to plot maintenance, water usage, and chemical usage. All rules are intended to protect each plot owner from other plot owners. We have a number of certified master gardeners and biologists available to help new gardeners.

It has worked well for needy in the community and for people who simply want to grow a garden.

Ted

Originally Posted by feldon30

Are you too far north to find stands of bamboo? Cause that makes a great trellis. Just pull over by the side of the road and whack a few stalks.

Some Walmarts sold bamboo stakes this year in four foot lengths and five foot lengths.. They were very inexpensive. I love them because they are super strong and last forever. Wood rots in the garden. Bamboo doesn't seem to ever rot and I haven't found any insects like termites that can harm it. In smaller diameters, it is strong and flexible. In larger diameters, it is simply super strong. I bought a lot of it and probably spent less than twenty dollars.

Ted