Kat's Mini "Surburban Farm" take 3

newatthiskat · February 4, 2011

Hey all! I am going to keep a journal of my garden year. 2 years ago I did this and had a great year. I appreciated all the help from everyone. I am sure it was that input that made my garden the best ever. This year no major surgeries planned. I also have plans for some changes.

1. Going to get a large truckload of compost and amend on a much larger scale. I think I have almost convinced DH that it is imparitive that we go near San Antonio and hit a mushroom farm and get mushroom compost

I have sand and more sand. I told him we could plan a couple of days off for him and leave the company cell phone with someone else. He was acting fairly agreeable to that. I also have gotten a few bags of coffee grounds from starbucks and will continue to get more.

2. I am going to get a big roll of hay. We do not get straw around here but I have also convinced DH that I need a hay roll. I have sand. It drains great but poor plants get horrible BER.

3. I have also convinced DH (almost) that I am going to need lot of cages made from CRW. I lost alot of fruit due to sprawling. (stupid ants) I will still have to sprawl some plants but I will get more off the ground. I know me, the least amount of maintanence the better.

OK I think that is enough for now. You may be asking how I am convincing DH on all this? I bought him a truck. Now I have a way of hauling all that stuff :-) I just have to convince him to get it dirty

Kat
PS also have alot of handy guys around me and in downtime they can help me build cages LOL....I will watch of course. Right now though they are building me an office. I want a chandelier.......and tomato lighting LOL

troad · February 4, 2011

How are you fixed for seeds? Need any?

newatthiskat · February 4, 2011

I know what you are tring to do mister!

I am still trying to figure out the good from the spitters you sent. You know I am going to try them all just to find out which are bad. meenie pants. Think I will have the guys at work try them all first

Kat

Stepheninky · February 4, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by newatthiskat

Hey all! I am going to keep a journal of my garden year. 2 years ago I did this and had a great year. I appreciated all the help from everyone. I am sure it was that input that made my garden the best ever. This year no major surgeries planned. I also have plans for some changes.

1. Going to get a large truckload of compost and amend on a much larger scale. I think I have almost convinced DH that it is imparitive that we go near San Antonio and hit a mushroom farm and get mushroom compost

I have sand and more sand. I told him we could plan a couple of days off for him and leave the company cell phone with someone else. He was acting fairly agreeable to that. I also have gotten a few bags of coffee grounds from starbucks and will continue to get more.

2. I am going to get a big roll of hay. We do not get straw around here but I have also convinced DH that I need a hay roll. I have sand. It drains great but poor plants get horrible BER.

3. I have also convinced DH (almost) that I am going to need lot of cages made from CRW. I lost alot of fruit due to sprawling. (stupid ants) I will still have to sprawl some plants but I will get more off the ground. I know me, the least amount of maintanence the better.

OK I think that is enough for now. You may be asking how I am convincing DH on all this? I bought him a truck. Now I have a way of hauling all that stuff :-) I just have to convince him to get it dirty

Kat
PS also have alot of handy guys around me and in downtime they can help me build cages LOL....I will watch of course. Right now though they are building me an office. I want a chandelier.......and tomato lighting LOL

If you can get mushroom compost its great stuff, most already has broke down straw in it.

You know your area best but around here I would never use hay in the garden just too many weeds can come from doing that.

If you use the Mushroom compost and get a load of the aged mulch I would think you would be good. The mulch breaks down and in no time you will have darn good soil.

We have clay here and I can bury my hand 1 to 1-1/2 foot with no tools needed anywhere its not packed by foot traffic. Though I also use lots of ashes in the garden as well.

newatthiskat · February 4, 2011

Tried a little mulch 2 years ago. Could not afford to put it everywhere or thick enough. Weeds overtook me and the mulch made the hoeing very hard. I am going to try shaking out the hay on some plastic before spreading it to get out some of the seeds. I saw how to do it on tv. Doesn't mean it will work

. I figure it will be a good shoulder workout and I get to play with a pitchfork.

If not it is back to the same effects. weeds overtaking everything.

Kat

newatthiskat · February 4, 2011

SItting here eating snow icecream for breakfast and watching my seedlings grow with our new heating pad. (I am going to steal it in a little though).
No work today due to icy roads and snow. No school. Just sitting aorund on here and playing on the wii.
THinking list time is getting here. I usually like to see what grows before I decide

On the list for sure is
Atkinson
Red Brandywine
Bulgarian Triumph
Bulgarian #7

OK now I am beingn forsed to play manopoly so I will have to get back to list later

Kat

newatthiskat · February 23, 2011

This is where I stand. I am going to pot up my plants today and tomorrow. Have a few back ups not quite ready. I innoculated my little seedlings with Mycogrow already. I have ordered Biotamax and when I put in ground I will dip at that time with both. I am going to order Actinovate today or tomorrow. Have to do things slowly here with new business. I am going to Gonzalas Texas on Sunday night and first thing on Mondy my husband and I will pick up a load of mushroom compost.
Curious how much compost can fit in a regular bed of a truck? In Yards that is.
I am going to do my version of Earls Hole method and use the compost that way mixed with a few other goodies. I have also collected some coffee grounds and plan to get alot more.
As most have read, I had a very generous valentines gift of a roll of CRW. SO no loss of fruit due to laying on the ground and ant attacks on the underside of the fruit. Also it will make weeding alot easier. My husband had dreams of using his weedeater to get rid of them. Problem is his weedeater broke. I think the CRW is a trade off

. I also have nightmares of plants being wacked to death. I have seen him on a riding lawnmower!

A moment of silence please for the strawberry plants (50) three times. My last Black krim of the season 2 years ago and the yellow pear plant that got mowed over at least twice.

I have a secondary planting spot of along the side fo the building that we are leasing at work. I am going to plant green when ripes and blacks there to try to keep people for stealing them in the night. Then last night I had a neighbor tell me that they have great soil and I can use a part of their yard. They are more organically minded but don't know might be too much to keep up with.
I know CRW is only 5 foot tall. I am only 5'1 and3/4" I don't want them any taller. I can see myself on a ladder out in the sand. The medical bills would cost way more than my garden.
Kat

newatthiskat · February 24, 2011

OK so got sick instead of planting up. will try to do it Saturday. Wanted to post my tenative list.
At home
Atkinson
Black and Brown Boar, Black and Red Boar, Black Brandywine, Black from Tula, Black Krim, Black Pear, Brads Black Heart, Brandysweet Plum, Brandywine Cherry, Brandywine Cowlick, Brandywine Suddeth, Bulgarian #7, Bulgarian Triumph, Calf's Heart, Campbell's Soup #19, Costoluto Genovese, Delicious, Earls Faux, Glamour, Japanese Black Trifele, Kellogs Breakfast, Lancaster County Pink, Lillian's Yellow Heirloom, NAR, Opalka, Pineapple, Pink Sweet, Polish Linguisa, Pork Chop, PRINCIPE BORGHESE, Purple Russian, REBECCA SEBASTIAN'S BULL BAG, Red Brandywine, Rhodes Heirloom, Rose, Rutgers, San Marzan Redorta, Sandul Moldovan, Scabitha, Striped Cavern, Sungold, Super Snow White, Sweet Aroma Roma F1, Tom's Yellow Wonder, Virginia Sweets, Wes, and Wolford Wonder

At work
AAA Sweet Solano, Black Zebra, Chocolate Stripes, Gary O'Sena, Green Giant, Green Zebra, JD's Special C Tex, Large Barred Boar, San Fransisco Fog, Jelly Bean F1, Walter's Candy Stripe, and White Zebra

I think that is all at this time

feel free to critique
Kat

kath · February 24, 2011

Hi, Kat! Don't know how I missed this thread. Glad to hear you'll be journaling about your garden. Want to say that I use whatever hay and straw I can get that's free or cheap. Straw is impossible to get anymore for less than $5 for a small square bale, so it's been just free mulch hay for a while. If you've got the time and ability to compost it first, it helps with the weeds, but I've had trouble with straw being full of seeds and hay that was pretty weed free. Either way, it beats no mulch when you need it.

Your list is very nice- some I've not heard of before, but you're missing F,H,I,M,Q U,X,Y and Z.

newatthiskat · February 24, 2011

Hmm..what about adding haley's purple comet, Ferris Wheel, Italian Giant Red. Added!
I am a loser because I do not have a M, Q, U, X, and Y
I am growing several zebras so I am counting them as Z

Kat

kath · February 24, 2011

I can help with M, Y and Z.

newatthiskat · February 24, 2011

Of course you can. Never knew I wanted to grow an alphabet garden
Kat

kath · February 24, 2011

Of course you know I'm just being silly and teasing you a bit, but when I first started reading your list, you had SO many varieties that started with "B" that I thought you might have limited yourself by sticking with the beginning of the alphabet...which is what led to my inane comment.

BSue54 · February 24, 2011

After reading this thread, I suddenly realized I only have 3 varieties started... Brandywine, Early Girl, and Rutgers... I hope the B.... E.... R....is not a bad omen

newatthiskat · February 25, 2011

Kath-your comment really cracked me up. I will have to grow out the other letters in fall. I will call this my alphabet garden in honor of you.

BSue54-quick add another variety!! Growing BER. You are asking for trouble

Kat

February 4, 2011	#2
troad Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Des Moines, WA. Posts: 358	How are you fixed for seeds? Need any? __________________ There's a fine line between gardening and madness.

February 4, 2011	#3
newatthiskat Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: texas Posts: 1,451	Reply I know what you are tring to do mister! I am still trying to figure out the good from the spitters you sent. You know I am going to try them all just to find out which are bad. meenie pants. Think I will have the guys at work try them all first Kat

February 4, 2011	#5
newatthiskat Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: texas Posts: 1,451	reply Tried a little mulch 2 years ago. Could not afford to put it everywhere or thick enough. Weeds overtook me and the mulch made the hoeing very hard. I am going to try shaking out the hay on some plastic before spreading it to get out some of the seeds. I saw how to do it on tv. Doesn't mean it will work . I figure it will be a good shoulder workout and I get to play with a pitchfork. If not it is back to the same effects. weeds overtaking everything. Kat

February 4, 2011	#6
newatthiskat Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: texas Posts: 1,451	Reply SItting here eating snow icecream for breakfast and watching my seedlings grow with our new heating pad. (I am going to steal it in a little though). No work today due to icy roads and snow. No school. Just sitting aorund on here and playing on the wii. THinking list time is getting here. I usually like to see what grows before I decide On the list for sure is Atkinson Red Brandywine Bulgarian Triumph Bulgarian #7 OK now I am beingn forsed to play manopoly so I will have to get back to list later Kat

February 24, 2011	#8
newatthiskat Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: texas Posts: 1,451	Reply OK so got sick instead of planting up. will try to do it Saturday. Wanted to post my tenative list. At home Atkinson Black and Brown Boar, Black and Red Boar, Black Brandywine, Black from Tula, Black Krim, Black Pear, Brads Black Heart, Brandysweet Plum, Brandywine Cherry, Brandywine Cowlick, Brandywine Suddeth, Bulgarian #7, Bulgarian Triumph, Calf's Heart, Campbell's Soup #19, Costoluto Genovese, Delicious, Earls Faux, Glamour, Japanese Black Trifele, Kellogs Breakfast, Lancaster County Pink, Lillian's Yellow Heirloom, NAR, Opalka, Pineapple, Pink Sweet, Polish Linguisa, Pork Chop, PRINCIPE BORGHESE, Purple Russian, REBECCA SEBASTIAN'S BULL BAG, Red Brandywine, Rhodes Heirloom, Rose, Rutgers, San Marzan Redorta, Sandul Moldovan, Scabitha, Striped Cavern, Sungold, Super Snow White, Sweet Aroma Roma F1, Tom's Yellow Wonder, Virginia Sweets, Wes, and Wolford Wonder At work AAA Sweet Solano, Black Zebra, Chocolate Stripes, Gary O'Sena, Green Giant, Green Zebra, JD's Special C Tex, Large Barred Boar, San Fransisco Fog, Jelly Bean F1, Walter's Candy Stripe, and White Zebra I think that is all at this time feel free to critique Kat Last edited by newatthiskat; February 24, 2011 at 03:49 PM. Reason: Copy and paste grammer errors

February 4, 2011	#1
newatthiskat Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: texas Posts: 1,451	Kat's Mini "Surburban Farm" take 3 Hey all! I am going to keep a journal of my garden year. 2 years ago I did this and had a great year. I appreciated all the help from everyone. I am sure it was that input that made my garden the best ever. This year no major surgeries planned. I also have plans for some changes. 1. Going to get a large truckload of compost and amend on a much larger scale. I think I have almost convinced DH that it is imparitive that we go near San Antonio and hit a mushroom farm and get mushroom compost I have sand and more sand. I told him we could plan a couple of days off for him and leave the company cell phone with someone else. He was acting fairly agreeable to that. I also have gotten a few bags of coffee grounds from starbucks and will continue to get more. 2. I am going to get a big roll of hay. We do not get straw around here but I have also convinced DH that I need a hay roll. I have sand. It drains great but poor plants get horrible BER. 3. I have also convinced DH (almost) that I am going to need lot of cages made from CRW. I lost alot of fruit due to sprawling. (stupid ants) I will still have to sprawl some plants but I will get more off the ground. I know me, the least amount of maintanence the better. OK I think that is enough for now. You may be asking how I am convincing DH on all this? I bought him a truck. Now I have a way of hauling all that stuff :-) I just have to convince him to get it dirty Kat PS also have alot of handy guys around me and in downtime they can help me build cages LOL....I will watch of course. Right now though they are building me an office. I want a chandelier.......and tomato lighting LOL

February 23, 2011	#7
newatthiskat Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: texas Posts: 1,451	Reply This is where I stand. I am going to pot up my plants today and tomorrow. Have a few back ups not quite ready. I innoculated my little seedlings with Mycogrow already. I have ordered Biotamax and when I put in ground I will dip at that time with both. I am going to order Actinovate today or tomorrow. Have to do things slowly here with new business. I am going to Gonzalas Texas on Sunday night and first thing on Mondy my husband and I will pick up a load of mushroom compost. Curious how much compost can fit in a regular bed of a truck? In Yards that is. I am going to do my version of Earls Hole method and use the compost that way mixed with a few other goodies. I have also collected some coffee grounds and plan to get alot more. As most have read, I had a very generous valentines gift of a roll of CRW. SO no loss of fruit due to laying on the ground and ant attacks on the underside of the fruit. Also it will make weeding alot easier. My husband had dreams of using his weedeater to get rid of them. Problem is his weedeater broke. I think the CRW is a trade off . I also have nightmares of plants being wacked to death. I have seen him on a riding lawnmower! A moment of silence please for the strawberry plants (50) three times. My last Black krim of the season 2 years ago and the yellow pear plant that got mowed over at least twice. I have a secondary planting spot of along the side fo the building that we are leasing at work. I am going to plant green when ripes and blacks there to try to keep people for stealing them in the night. Then last night I had a neighbor tell me that they have great soil and I can use a part of their yard. They are more organically minded but don't know might be too much to keep up with. I know CRW is only 5 foot tall. I am only 5'1 and3/4" I don't want them any taller. I can see myself on a ladder out in the sand. The medical bills would cost way more than my garden. Kat

February 24, 2011	#9
kath Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: zone 6b, PA Posts: 5,664	Hi, Kat! Don't know how I missed this thread. Glad to hear you'll be journaling about your garden. Want to say that I use whatever hay and straw I can get that's free or cheap. Straw is impossible to get anymore for less than $5 for a small square bale, so it's been just free mulch hay for a while. If you've got the time and ability to compost it first, it helps with the weeds, but I've had trouble with straw being full of seeds and hay that was pretty weed free. Either way, it beats no mulch when you need it. Your list is very nice- some I've not heard of before, but you're missing F,H,I,M,Q U,X,Y and Z.

February 24, 2011	#10
newatthiskat Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: texas Posts: 1,451	Reply Hmm..what about adding haley's purple comet, Ferris Wheel, Italian Giant Red. Added! I am a loser because I do not have a M, Q, U, X, and Y I am growing several zebras so I am counting them as Z Kat

February 24, 2011	#12
newatthiskat Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: texas Posts: 1,451	Reply Of course you can. Never knew I wanted to grow an alphabet garden Kat

February 24, 2011	#14
BSue54 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Cut-N-Shoot, TX Posts: 73	After reading this thread, I suddenly realized I only have 3 varieties started... Brandywine, Early Girl, and Rutgers... I hope the B.... E.... R....is not a bad omen __________________ Bobbie in Cut-N-Shoot, TX Zone 8b

February 25, 2011	#15
newatthiskat Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: texas Posts: 1,451	Reply Kath-your comment really cracked me up. I will have to grow out the other letters in fall. I will call this my alphabet garden in honor of you. BSue54-quick add another variety!! Growing BER. You are asking for trouble Kat