Looks really good Katt.
I never did get aroud to planting my sunflowers . . . give em a try next year.
I have the same composter you do . . . lucked out and paid $5. at a garage sale, brand new, never used.
Looks like it's working ok and Sweetie threw in a bit too much shredded newspaper, but it stirs in ok and looks like it's decomposing ok.
They have great garage sales here, way better than Sunny Central California where it was mostly old clothes and not worth going.
I did an update with photos on my garden.
Go here: www.abovetopsecret.com...'
In the same post I have a couple of pics of Great Northern cooking beans growing just fine.
We've been picking our tomatoes at bit early - before they split - and letting them ripen in the kitchen.
It looks like the problem is that they need shade.
I did drive by a big home garden last weekend - a very successful one - and noted they had green nursery type shade cloth over what I'm guessing is
the tomato area.
Tomorrow morning there's a Farmers Market, I plan to hit that and the gardener mentioned above should be there so I'll ask a few questions.
The watermelons have really taken off and in fact escaped the confines of the garden and are growing along the outside of the fence.
This afternoon we found three watermelons about the size of a soda can.
Looks like we're gonna have a bunch of those.
I've also added a 12'-15' extension toward where the trailer was parked in the earlier pics.
Gonna try to get it bricked and fenced tomorrow.
Corn and beans - the cooking beans - go in there....
Anyhoo, enjoyed the photos of your garden . . . thanks for posting.
[edit on 25-7-2008 by Desert Dawg]
[edit on 25-7-2008 by Desert Dawg]
Lessons Learned From a Backyard Garden, page 9
reply posted on 26-7-2008 @ 06:57 PM by kattraxx
I've been doing some online research as I prepare to xeriscape my back yard and came across this pretty cool idea for an herb garden.
[img=512x384]
[/img]
The building instructions are on this page.
www.gardeningtipsnideas.com...
I also love the rock pile idea, maybe a scaled down version. Something to do with all those rocks you dig up when you're tilling your garden. I've seen them with all types of rocks, in many different configurations, like animal shapes, spirals, wherever your imagination takes you, and you can plant herbs or edible flowers in the gaps.
[img=512x384]
[/img]
[img=512x384]
The building instructions are on this page.
www.gardeningtipsnideas.com...
I also love the rock pile idea, maybe a scaled down version. Something to do with all those rocks you dig up when you're tilling your garden. I've seen them with all types of rocks, in many different configurations, like animal shapes, spirals, wherever your imagination takes you, and you can plant herbs or edible flowers in the gaps.
[img=512x384]
reply posted on 26-7-2008 @ 07:13 PM by kattraxx
reply to post by Desert Dawg
Desert Dawg, your garden looks great-- lots of space too. I still love the idea of those cinder blocks around the garden and planting in them. As I xeriscape my back yard, I'm going to add a raised garden in a section of the yard that gets a bit of afternoon shade and I plan to use the cinder blocks. I might try to stain them some earth tone with some natural stain, just so they'll blend in more. I need more space to plant everything I want to try.
I had a shade cloth up, just tied to either end of the fence and with a stick in the middle to tent it up some. I took it down a few days ago because it hasn't been that hot here... for July. I can always put it back up in five minutes, if I have to. I got it at Home Depot-- a huge piece you can cut to fit your needs. If you get too much sun, no amount of watering will help.
The only tomatoes I'm harvesting so far are the yellow pear and the Roma grape. We're looking forward to those huge beefsteaks next month. I'm also getting purple beans-- those bushes aren't six inches tall and producing beans. And we're using the shallots and onions. If you've never tried shallots, I highly recommend them; their flavor is much more interesting and complex than onions. I just bought some at the store and planted them. We've harvested and eaten or given away all the butter lettuce and spinach and will put in more, as we eat tons of salads.
I have to say, this garden pretty much grew itself. Maybe it was the composted horse manure, but it didn't take much work at all. I'm really looking forward to the brussels sprouts and potatoes-- never grew them before but they seem to be doing well.
Desert Dawg, your garden looks great-- lots of space too. I still love the idea of those cinder blocks around the garden and planting in them. As I xeriscape my back yard, I'm going to add a raised garden in a section of the yard that gets a bit of afternoon shade and I plan to use the cinder blocks. I might try to stain them some earth tone with some natural stain, just so they'll blend in more. I need more space to plant everything I want to try.
I had a shade cloth up, just tied to either end of the fence and with a stick in the middle to tent it up some. I took it down a few days ago because it hasn't been that hot here... for July. I can always put it back up in five minutes, if I have to. I got it at Home Depot-- a huge piece you can cut to fit your needs. If you get too much sun, no amount of watering will help.
The only tomatoes I'm harvesting so far are the yellow pear and the Roma grape. We're looking forward to those huge beefsteaks next month. I'm also getting purple beans-- those bushes aren't six inches tall and producing beans. And we're using the shallots and onions. If you've never tried shallots, I highly recommend them; their flavor is much more interesting and complex than onions. I just bought some at the store and planted them. We've harvested and eaten or given away all the butter lettuce and spinach and will put in more, as we eat tons of salads.
I have to say, this garden pretty much grew itself. Maybe it was the composted horse manure, but it didn't take much work at all. I'm really looking forward to the brussels sprouts and potatoes-- never grew them before but they seem to be doing well.
reply posted on 26-7-2008 @ 10:38 PM by 12m8keall2c
reply to post by kattraxx
You might be better off trying to find a local masonry company or block manufacturer. They often have odd lots and or leftover materials... just the same as what you're looking for. For that matter, there's probably a couple hundred just outside our warehouse here in PA... earthy-red, split rock-faced block right now. Leftovers from a job the building owner had done. [a masonry outfit]
Look there first.. I'm near certain you'll find what you're looking for...cheap...if not Free.
Just sayin'...
I might try to stain them some earth tone with some natural stain, just so they'll blend in more. I need more space to plant everything I want to try.
You might be better off trying to find a local masonry company or block manufacturer. They often have odd lots and or leftover materials... just the same as what you're looking for. For that matter, there's probably a couple hundred just outside our warehouse here in PA... earthy-red, split rock-faced block right now. Leftovers from a job the building owner had done. [a masonry outfit]
Look there first.. I'm near certain you'll find what you're looking for...cheap...if not Free.
Just sayin'...
reply posted on 27-7-2008 @ 09:28 AM by frayed1
reply to post by Desert Dawg
Desert Dawg, since we've discussed manure that you might be able to get from a local farm, this might be of interest to you......I found it alarming even tho I use manure from my own animals.....I buy winter hay that ends up in my garden and could carry 'unknowns'.....
Thread by Pellevoisin about dangers of herbicides that can get into your compost via manure or even your lawn clippings......
www.abovetopsecret.com...
A weed controll chemical that is sometimes used on grazing pasture or even on lawn areas can remain in the manure of the grazing animals or in the lawn clippings......and KILL your veggies!
Be careful, know your source, ask the folks at the location where you get your manure or lawn clippings.....do they use a weed control chemical?
If they can't tell you what may have gone into their grazing land, or hay source you might want to test any manure that you get on a small area before using it on all the garden!
source
www.dowagro.com...
Desert Dawg, since we've discussed manure that you might be able to get from a local farm, this might be of interest to you......I found it alarming even tho I use manure from my own animals.....I buy winter hay that ends up in my garden and could carry 'unknowns'.....
Thread by Pellevoisin about dangers of herbicides that can get into your compost via manure or even your lawn clippings......
www.abovetopsecret.com...
A weed controll chemical that is sometimes used on grazing pasture or even on lawn areas can remain in the manure of the grazing animals or in the lawn clippings......and KILL your veggies!
Be careful, know your source, ask the folks at the location where you get your manure or lawn clippings.....do they use a weed control chemical?
If they can't tell you what may have gone into their grazing land, or hay source you might want to test any manure that you get on a small area before using it on all the garden!
Do not transfer grazing animals (including horses) from areas treated with Milestone™ herbicide to areas where sensitive broadleaf crops grow without first allowing 3 days of grazing on an untreated pasture. Otherwise, urine and manure may contain enough active ingredient to cause injury to sensitive broadleaf plants.
source
www.dowagro.com...
reply posted on 27-7-2008 @ 10:03 AM by kattraxx
reply to post by 12m8keall2c
Thanks, 12m8keall2c... that's a pretty good suggestion. I'll do that. Since I plan to sell and move north in a year or two, where it rains and you don't have to buy soil and shade, I have to consider everything from a resale point of view. I want the back yard to be attractive and if I can do it without breaking the bank, all the better. Looking down the road a year or two, I'm betting a xeriscaped yard with fruit trees and berries, etc., and an established vegetable garden will be a good selling point.
Thanks, 12m8keall2c... that's a pretty good suggestion. I'll do that. Since I plan to sell and move north in a year or two, where it rains and you don't have to buy soil and shade, I have to consider everything from a resale point of view. I want the back yard to be attractive and if I can do it without breaking the bank, all the better. Looking down the road a year or two, I'm betting a xeriscaped yard with fruit trees and berries, etc., and an established vegetable garden will be a good selling point.
reply posted on 27-7-2008 @ 10:33 AM by Desert Dawg
reply to post by kattraxx
Great rock terrace herb garden.
Sweetie loved it and we might make one in the fall.
Just cuz it's too hot to work in the sunshine.
I need a bigger variety of spices than I have planted in the containers.
Had to go get Rosemary and Savory for a meat loaf I made yesterday.
Then, while at the grocery store, got the bright idea to make Beer Bread.
Simple, good and always a hit.
3 cups of self-rising flour.
2 tablespoons of sugar.
1 can (11-12oz) of beer, any kind, cheap beer works great.
Some lard to rub on the inside of the cooking pot, a Dutch Oven - I use a #12 size oven, but a #8 may work.
Mix the components in a mixing bowl.
Flour and sugar mixed dry then pour in the beer.
Original instructions say to stir it only 17 times with a wooden spoon, but I find it needs more to get the beer distributed evenly.
350 degree F oven for one hour and 15 minutes at 3300' alttude.
Anyhoo, I get off track sometimes, but out near the dry lake is a whole bunch of pure white milk colored rocks, probably quartz of some sort.
That would make an interesting terraced herb garden.
Not sure how well it would last, but I note that mud stains on common cinder blocks as seen in my garden don't seem to wash off in the rain.
A couple of my tomato plants that looked to be doing well have withered and died.
The beefsteaks are doing well and may start putting fruit on before long.
One of those died, but the other eight are doing ok and are almost as tall as the 4'6" tall fence.
Once the end fence gets cut open and swung out to encompass the garden extension and some more bricks & fencing added the beefsteaks will end up being a "tomato hedge."
Part of todays plans were to hit Home Depot and buy some genuine shade cloth.
Doesn't seem to be any other way around it.
I did get some shallot seed and planted it in a big container.
It looks like it's doing ok and I'm guessing when the above ground stalks (?) get fatter I can pick a few and see how they're doing.
The regular onions - like the long green with small white bulbs you buy in the produce section are in the garden and seem to be doing ok although right now they look more like long lawn grass than onions.
The shallots looked similar early on.
I like salads as well.
This fall will be the larger extension to the east - where the car trailer is parked in the last couple of photos in the Jack and the Beanstalk thread - and we're going to try some butter lettuce and spinach there.
I did overdo it a touch in the original small plot and it's a little too high density for my liking, but everything is reachable.
Since you have a hill of sorts in your backyard, perhaps do as one othe other posters did and use bricks or stones for a terrace edge and level the soil.
Great rock terrace herb garden.
Sweetie loved it and we might make one in the fall.
Just cuz it's too hot to work in the sunshine.
I need a bigger variety of spices than I have planted in the containers.
Had to go get Rosemary and Savory for a meat loaf I made yesterday.
Then, while at the grocery store, got the bright idea to make Beer Bread.
Simple, good and always a hit.
3 cups of self-rising flour.
2 tablespoons of sugar.
1 can (11-12oz) of beer, any kind, cheap beer works great.
Some lard to rub on the inside of the cooking pot, a Dutch Oven - I use a #12 size oven, but a #8 may work.
Mix the components in a mixing bowl.
Flour and sugar mixed dry then pour in the beer.
Original instructions say to stir it only 17 times with a wooden spoon, but I find it needs more to get the beer distributed evenly.
350 degree F oven for one hour and 15 minutes at 3300' alttude.
Anyhoo, I get off track sometimes, but out near the dry lake is a whole bunch of pure white milk colored rocks, probably quartz of some sort.
That would make an interesting terraced herb garden.
Not sure how well it would last, but I note that mud stains on common cinder blocks as seen in my garden don't seem to wash off in the rain.
A couple of my tomato plants that looked to be doing well have withered and died.
The beefsteaks are doing well and may start putting fruit on before long.
One of those died, but the other eight are doing ok and are almost as tall as the 4'6" tall fence.
Once the end fence gets cut open and swung out to encompass the garden extension and some more bricks & fencing added the beefsteaks will end up being a "tomato hedge."
Part of todays plans were to hit Home Depot and buy some genuine shade cloth.
Doesn't seem to be any other way around it.
I did get some shallot seed and planted it in a big container.
It looks like it's doing ok and I'm guessing when the above ground stalks (?) get fatter I can pick a few and see how they're doing.
The regular onions - like the long green with small white bulbs you buy in the produce section are in the garden and seem to be doing ok although right now they look more like long lawn grass than onions.
The shallots looked similar early on.
I like salads as well.
This fall will be the larger extension to the east - where the car trailer is parked in the last couple of photos in the Jack and the Beanstalk thread - and we're going to try some butter lettuce and spinach there.
I did overdo it a touch in the original small plot and it's a little too high density for my liking, but everything is reachable.
Since you have a hill of sorts in your backyard, perhaps do as one othe other posters did and use bricks or stones for a terrace edge and level the soil.
reply posted on 27-7-2008 @ 10:50 AM by Desert Dawg
reply to post by frayed1
Some good points on potential problems with the free manure and thanks.
The price of gas nowadays - even at 20-24 mpg in the Ranger pickup - makes it just about as reasonable to buy the big bags of steer manure at 94 cents per bag than to grab the free stuff.
The dry lake is 25 miles away.
We still go out there to shoot and fire my pal's bowling ball cannon - shoots a bowling ball a measured 1/2 mile - take in the model rocket gangs shoot-em-ups once in a while and taking turns with driving duties for the three of us, it's a do-able deal.
The cannon.
Fire.
The spectator area . . . lots of room....
Some good points on potential problems with the free manure and thanks.
The price of gas nowadays - even at 20-24 mpg in the Ranger pickup - makes it just about as reasonable to buy the big bags of steer manure at 94 cents per bag than to grab the free stuff.
The dry lake is 25 miles away.
We still go out there to shoot and fire my pal's bowling ball cannon - shoots a bowling ball a measured 1/2 mile - take in the model rocket gangs shoot-em-ups once in a while and taking turns with driving duties for the three of us, it's a do-able deal.
The cannon.
Fire.
The spectator area . . . lots of room....
reply posted on 28-7-2008 @ 08:16 AM by frayed1
reply to post by Desert Dawg
Whoa!! Nice 'pea shooter' there! I need one of those to keep the deer out of the garden, 'fraid the the neighbors might object, though! ( half mile range?? Yep, they'd complain about that, no matter how many tomatoes I give them!!)
I hear you about getting the commercial manure.....hopefully the company that packages it does checks on their source manure. If they have an 800 number, at least you could call and ask.
I will now look fondly on the weeds that I see in Neighbob's hay......at least they will suggest that the hay field has not been treated!
Whoa!! Nice 'pea shooter' there! I need one of those to keep the deer out of the garden, 'fraid the the neighbors might object, though! ( half mile range?? Yep, they'd complain about that, no matter how many tomatoes I give them!!)
I hear you about getting the commercial manure.....hopefully the company that packages it does checks on their source manure. If they have an 800 number, at least you could call and ask.
I will now look fondly on the weeds that I see in Neighbob's hay......at least they will suggest that the hay field has not been treated!
reply posted on 29-7-2008 @ 01:17 PM by frayed1
reply to post by BlueTriangle
Peppers can be tempermental......they won't set fruit if the daytime temp is too high, or night temp too low.
Too much fertilizer (nitrogen) will cause them to grow lots of foliage, but have no blooms or fruit.....so I generally don't give mine any fertilizer at all.
Some of mine are refusing to bloom, some are blooming but have no peppers and some are loaded.....all in the same row!! I'm have the best luck with jalapeno, sweet banana, and some of the bell peppers.
Here's a pepper web site, general info......
www.fiery-foods.com...
Peppers can be tempermental......they won't set fruit if the daytime temp is too high, or night temp too low.
Too much fertilizer (nitrogen) will cause them to grow lots of foliage, but have no blooms or fruit.....so I generally don't give mine any fertilizer at all.
Some of mine are refusing to bloom, some are blooming but have no peppers and some are loaded.....all in the same row!! I'm have the best luck with jalapeno, sweet banana, and some of the bell peppers.
Here's a pepper web site, general info......
www.fiery-foods.com...
reply posted on 19-5-2009 @ 11:32 AM by frayed1
reply to post by Quazi176
It's been our experience that the ants do like to move into lovely, soft, freshly tilled soil, ( especially the mound builders, like fireants ).....but if you keep disturbing them, they will eventually take the hint and move on.
We try to avoid using the pesticides unless they are particularly determined....then we will use amdro ( it's a bait type poison, they eat some and take the rest into the mound to feed to the queen).....I try to turn an old dishpan or something over the area where we put out this bait, we don't want the birds or chickens to eat it.....
Be wary of the type of pesticide that is absorbed by the plants, making their foliage poisonous for the insects that eat the leaves.......even though I've read that only the leaves become toxic, I am concerned that the pollen and nectar and eventually the fruit of treated plants will also carry the toxins. And that can't be good for the bees or for those of us eating the fruit......
[edit on 19-5-2009 by frayed1]
It's been our experience that the ants do like to move into lovely, soft, freshly tilled soil, ( especially the mound builders, like fireants ).....but if you keep disturbing them, they will eventually take the hint and move on.
We try to avoid using the pesticides unless they are particularly determined....then we will use amdro ( it's a bait type poison, they eat some and take the rest into the mound to feed to the queen).....I try to turn an old dishpan or something over the area where we put out this bait, we don't want the birds or chickens to eat it.....
Be wary of the type of pesticide that is absorbed by the plants, making their foliage poisonous for the insects that eat the leaves.......even though I've read that only the leaves become toxic, I am concerned that the pollen and nectar and eventually the fruit of treated plants will also carry the toxins. And that can't be good for the bees or for those of us eating the fruit......
[edit on 19-5-2009 by frayed1]
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