Containers Growing ? - Page 29

AlittleSalt · November 16, 2018

3 months later...

The drought was broken in September. It turned out to be the wettest September on record here. It was followed by the wettest October on record here. Way too wet for tomato plants - I should have planted rice

This week, we had days of temperatures in the low 20s and 30s. Today has finally warmed up into the 60s, I'm cleaning out the few remaining plants that froze hard. The mix in the buckets is still very cold. I just checked the mix temperature with a meat thermometer and it quickly dropped to 40F. I wish I had thought of checking the pro mix temperature when the air temperature was in the 20s.

With all of the rain in September and October - there's no way to know if RKN/FW3 could have splashed up into the buckets. I'm thinking that the pro mix temperature going below freezing is a good thing? Even during last year's very warm winter - there were two 3-day stretches of continuous freezing temperatures.

I didn't drill holes in 4 buckets and the mix is soaking wet. I will be drilling holes in them.

AlittleSalt · April 15, 2019

YEAR TWO:

I am waking this thread back up. It's 2019, wake up you sleepy heads

Last year, I was so depressed trying to go from growing in the ground for so many years - to growing in containers. I had never grown in containers.

I found myself replying to a thread tonight, and realized I learned a whole lot last year. I also realized that I shouldn't reply to that thread because I have built up some vigor that didn't agree with that thread.

"I am not a scientific person. I trust what feels and smells right to me - which might make me sound foolish. 2018 was my first attempt at using mixes in containers. I saw what happened with different mixes. The words "Professional" and "Pro Mix" do not mean anything to me. Neither does a brand name. You have to feel it and understand it, and amend it correctly as you know best, and learn along the way.

I bought some transplants and have some that I started way too late. I'll bet they kick some arse because I know they will barring a late frost."

I have made a lot of changes, and I will be using liquid fertilizer that AKmark pointed out. You have to understand what is normal and then you go with your gut, and take advice and learn from it.

Tomzhawaii · April 15, 2019

Salt,
I consider my situation to be very similar. Progress not perfection !!! Besides, it's supposed to be fun. The folks here have been very kind and helpful. Good luck and grow,grow,grow.
Aloha,
Tom

AlittleSalt · April 15, 2019

Tom, I agree with all of your points. Most importantly is the fact that people are so friendly and helpful here. Yes, it is supposed to be fun growing/gardening. I have a saying-like thing...If it's too hot, cold, windy, or wet then whatever can wait until the weather is better - I want to enjoy gardening. Of course, there are exceptions like covering the plants so a frost/freeze doesn't get them.

The best of luck.

Tomzhawaii · April 15, 2019

So I finally decided on my layout. It's still a work in progress. But going forward on this lettuce project. These rails are great for getting seedlings to the pre pot up stage too.
Aloha

AlittleSalt · April 16, 2019

Tom, I've been reading your thread. It looks cool to me.

AlittleSalt · April 16, 2019

I planted the 20 five gallon buckets today (Monday April 15). All the time while having the weather on listening to perfect weather conditions for growing tomato and pepper plants... Being that it is now midnight Tuesday April 16th - the forecast has changed to an enhanced level 3 thunderstorm day Wednesday the 17th. With golf ball sized hail and tornadoes and...

That gives me a day to get protection ready. I do have some cages that I used for pepper plants in years past in the in-ground garden. I can Clorox those cages and alter them to fit inside the 5 gallon buckets with cloth covers to protect the newly planted plants. The buckets wont blow over as they have stakes driven down around them. If a tornado happens, who cares about the plants.

AlittleSalt · April 16, 2019

I had forgotten about one set of cages that fit perfectly around the outside of the buckets. That saved a lot of time and effort. I'm covering the cages with old bed sheets that are in the wash now with laundry soap and bleach just in case. Oh, the sheets are stored in our open faced gardening barn/shed, so there is dust on them. I don't know if RKN and/or FW3 gets in blowing dust/dirt or not, so that's why I'm washing them. I'll post a picture when I'm done.

AlittleSalt · April 16, 2019

This is what our grandson called a Dragon years ago. The sheets were put on now for the picture to show here, and for me to see that I washed enough sheets. The sheets have been removed and won't be put on until they are needed. You'll notice how one end is open - it won't be like that when I set up the dragons for the storms. I have used this method for years out in the in-ground garden, and so far, it has always worked.

Koala Doug · April 16, 2019

Good luck with the weather, Salt.

I hope it misses you... or better yet, I hope the severe weather fizzles out.

GrowingCoastal · April 16, 2019

I like the dragons.

AlittleSalt · April 16, 2019

Thank you both. I'm hoping it doesn't develop at all. I watched ABC, NBC, and FOX local weather and they are all in agreement...which they are saying that the storms will be here after 5pm. High winds and large hail is the main concern according to them.

The shorter cages work well for supporting the dragons to cover smaller plants without the sheet touching the plants at all. I don't know if you can see them in the picture, but the sheets are well pinned down by clothespins.

Later, the small temporary cages are replaced with larger tomato cages. The same sheets and clothespins make a really good shade when the temperatures get above 100F. The summers here are hot, but not every summer is the same. Protection from too much heat is basically the same thing as protecting plants from frost and freeze. You do what you can to help the plants.

peebee · April 17, 2019

Well I hope everyone & everything ride out the storm okay, and here's hoping you get your best harvest ever Salt. After all that work and dedication you deserve it

SueCT · April 17, 2019

Good Luck, Robert. FIngers crossed.

AlittleSalt · April 17, 2019

Thank you Sue. My fingers are crossed on those storms, but nature happens.

Dedication is a strong word. I wanted to give up before trying, and yet, I couldn't let RKN and FW3 win. Peebee, thank you. I believe in what I am doing.

April 16, 2019	#426
AlittleSalt BANNED FOR LIFE Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 13,333	Tom, I've been reading your thread. It looks cool to me. Last edited by AlittleSalt; April 16, 2019 at 02:11 AM.

November 16, 2018	#421
AlittleSalt BANNED FOR LIFE Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 13,333	3 months later... The drought was broken in September. It turned out to be the wettest September on record here. It was followed by the wettest October on record here. Way too wet for tomato plants - I should have planted rice This week, we had days of temperatures in the low 20s and 30s. Today has finally warmed up into the 60s, I'm cleaning out the few remaining plants that froze hard. The mix in the buckets is still very cold. I just checked the mix temperature with a meat thermometer and it quickly dropped to 40F. I wish I had thought of checking the pro mix temperature when the air temperature was in the 20s. With all of the rain in September and October - there's no way to know if RKN/FW3 could have splashed up into the buckets. I'm thinking that the pro mix temperature going below freezing is a good thing? Even during last year's very warm winter - there were two 3-day stretches of continuous freezing temperatures. I didn't drill holes in 4 buckets and the mix is soaking wet. I will be drilling holes in them.

April 15, 2019	#422
AlittleSalt BANNED FOR LIFE Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 13,333	YEAR TWO: I am waking this thread back up. It's 2019, wake up you sleepy heads Last year, I was so depressed trying to go from growing in the ground for so many years - to growing in containers. I had never grown in containers. I found myself replying to a thread tonight, and realized I learned a whole lot last year. I also realized that I shouldn't reply to that thread because I have built up some vigor that didn't agree with that thread. "I am not a scientific person. I trust what feels and smells right to me - which might make me sound foolish. 2018 was my first attempt at using mixes in containers. I saw what happened with different mixes. The words "Professional" and "Pro Mix" do not mean anything to me. Neither does a brand name. You have to feel it and understand it, and amend it correctly as you know best, and learn along the way. I bought some transplants and have some that I started way too late. I'll bet they kick some arse because I know they will barring a late frost." I have made a lot of changes, and I will be using liquid fertilizer that AKmark pointed out. You have to understand what is normal and then you go with your gut, and take advice and learn from it.

April 15, 2019	#423
Tomzhawaii Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Honolulu ,Hawaii Posts: 262	Salt, I consider my situation to be very similar. Progress not perfection !!! Besides, it's supposed to be fun. The folks here have been very kind and helpful. Good luck and grow,grow,grow. Aloha, Tom

April 15, 2019	#424
AlittleSalt BANNED FOR LIFE Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 13,333	Tom, I agree with all of your points. Most importantly is the fact that people are so friendly and helpful here. Yes, it is supposed to be fun growing/gardening. I have a saying-like thing...If it's too hot, cold, windy, or wet then whatever can wait until the weather is better - I want to enjoy gardening. Of course, there are exceptions like covering the plants so a frost/freeze doesn't get them. The best of luck.

April 16, 2019	#427
AlittleSalt BANNED FOR LIFE Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 13,333	I planted the 20 five gallon buckets today (Monday April 15). All the time while having the weather on listening to perfect weather conditions for growing tomato and pepper plants... Being that it is now midnight Tuesday April 16th - the forecast has changed to an enhanced level 3 thunderstorm day Wednesday the 17th. With golf ball sized hail and tornadoes and... That gives me a day to get protection ready. I do have some cages that I used for pepper plants in years past in the in-ground garden. I can Clorox those cages and alter them to fit inside the 5 gallon buckets with cloth covers to protect the newly planted plants. The buckets wont blow over as they have stakes driven down around them. If a tornado happens, who cares about the plants.

April 16, 2019	#428
AlittleSalt BANNED FOR LIFE Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 13,333	I had forgotten about one set of cages that fit perfectly around the outside of the buckets. That saved a lot of time and effort. I'm covering the cages with old bed sheets that are in the wash now with laundry soap and bleach just in case. Oh, the sheets are stored in our open faced gardening barn/shed, so there is dust on them. I don't know if RKN and/or FW3 gets in blowing dust/dirt or not, so that's why I'm washing them. I'll post a picture when I'm done.

April 16, 2019	#430
Koala Doug Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Detroit Posts: 688	Good luck with the weather, Salt. I hope it misses you... or better yet, I hope the severe weather fizzles out.

April 16, 2019	#431
GrowingCoastal Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Vancouver Island Canada BC Posts: 1,253	I like the dragons.

April 16, 2019	#432
AlittleSalt BANNED FOR LIFE Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 13,333	Thank you both. I'm hoping it doesn't develop at all. I watched ABC, NBC, and FOX local weather and they are all in agreement...which they are saying that the storms will be here after 5pm. High winds and large hail is the main concern according to them. The shorter cages work well for supporting the dragons to cover smaller plants without the sheet touching the plants at all. I don't know if you can see them in the picture, but the sheets are well pinned down by clothespins. Later, the small temporary cages are replaced with larger tomato cages. The same sheets and clothespins make a really good shade when the temperatures get above 100F. The summers here are hot, but not every summer is the same. Protection from too much heat is basically the same thing as protecting plants from frost and freeze. You do what you can to help the plants.

April 17, 2019	#433
peebee Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Southern CA Posts: 1,714	Well I hope everyone & everything ride out the storm okay, and here's hoping you get your best harvest ever Salt. After all that work and dedication you deserve it

April 17, 2019	#434
SueCT Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,460	Good Luck, Robert. FIngers crossed.

April 17, 2019	#435
AlittleSalt BANNED FOR LIFE Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 13,333	Thank you Sue. My fingers are crossed on those storms, but nature happens. Dedication is a strong word. I wanted to give up before trying, and yet, I couldn't let RKN and FW3 win. Peebee, thank you. I believe in what I am doing.