2020 gardens

[cqaigy2]

Keep posting you garden friends. I feel so crummy with Shingles, that I don't do much posting ....but did get some garden in before the shingles set in.

Cheers,
Mike

Sorry to hear. A buddy of mine got shingles, i don't want to experience what he did so was going to get vaccine, but Corona hit. Still getting one asap. Loving the gardens too. Will be trying out DJ54 radish trick.

 

[oldballs]

I learned my lesson about trying to garden next to a tree (s),,

A tree will grow roots right up into a raised planter box,,

I had a compost pile over three feet deep,, near a tree,, when I went to move the compost,, there were roots grown all the way up into the pile,,

A tree is a relentless feeder,, not to even mention how it will steal EVERY bit of moisture,,

I read somewhere IIRC that a full grown Cottonwood will use 300 gallons of water per day....to say nothing of the shade if nearby. I had to cut mine (about 3 foot diameter base) down in order to keep my garden going. My wife hated that because it shaded the play area for the grandkids.

Cheers,
Mike

 

[oldballs]

Here's some pics of my humble garden this spring. It was late in planting due to above average rain, late frosts, then the corona virus complications........and lastly my Shingles attack. Never have got the cukes, squash, cantaloupe and watermelons planted either.

The tomato and peppers plants I bought a month ago and have been nursing them along until planted a couple days ago.



Cheers,
Mike

 

[Billy Bee]

Finally got the garden planted, a cold wet spring made for a late start. Have cukes, summer squash, onion sets, swiss chard, beets, beans, radishes, a variety of tomatoes, and sweet corn.
Now, about the corn............ last year I planted enough corn to have about 40 dozen, but the 'coons got all of it. I did not get one ear! I trapped and killed 12 of them last summer, but apparently that was not enough. Now I know that I can't get them all and have to share with the masked bandits, but I plant more corn than I need so I am usually left with plenty. Not so last year. So this year I am not waiting for the corn to be nearly ready before I start trapping. I am doing a preemptive strike, I've been trapping for about a month now and got 8 so far, 4 females,so I figure I got rid of them and any future offspring. I am not going to give up on corn, I just hope I can thin them out enough so they will leave some for me. Fencing is not really an option, so trapping is what I need to do............ or go to the farmers market.
Bill

 

[DJ54]

**** Fencing is not really an option****

An electric fence works best. The first year outlay of cost is the worst. Roll the wire up and reuse,along with step in posts. A couple gate opening handles, to get in & out with what you till, or cultivate. For Racoons, you only need 2 strands. One at about 4"-6" off the ground,and one up 12" or so. A $20-$25 pet containment charger is all it takes. A protective cover on the charger, mounted on a post will last for years. I've ben using the same one for 10 years or so. You can make your own wooden stakes, or get the step in type, for less than $2 ea. Space them 10'-12' apart.Allwell and good if you have anelectric outlet close enough to power it.

I have to use T-posts and electric fence to keep 'Coon, groundhogs, and Deer out. In the past, I've had deer browse on tomato plants, but didn't really do any damage, but last year had one particular doe eat them off, as far as she could reach down in the cages. Wiped out 7 of the 12 Cuke plants, and riddled the beans, and sweet potatoes. I put the electric fence asap,and had no problems afre that with anything getting in.

 

[DJ54]

Got 4 rows of green beans put in yesterday. 3 different varieties, all stringless pole type. Much easier on my old back, and knees.

Planted down through leaf compost I put down last Fall, I Vac'd up from several neighbors lawns. Put them down about 6" thick, and over the winter they've settled/broken down some to about 4". They've done an excellent job of weed suppression so far. Had a few Wild Cherry tree sprouts popping up, but ran the Honda rear tine through, with the tail wheel on, I made early this Spring, and scratching only the top 2" or less, brought them to the top. Yesterdays hot sun pretty well cooked them.

The Brinly planter did well planting down through it. Helped a lot I think stirring the leaves up, and getting them somewhat loose, so they didn't gather, and pile up in front of the planting shoe.

Got what T-posts driven back in I had to remove last Fall, to get into the garden with the big tractors. Today will get some insulators on that need replaced, string the wire, and get the charger set, and plug it in.

The Snap Peas I planted are a bust. All of the rain caused the first planting to rot. Hopefully today's sun, and wind will dry part of the lower section, so as to replant those. I'll make a hill row this time, to keep them up out of the sautrated dirt. I don't think it will dry out enough in the lower section to get the tomatoes & cabbage out, but we'll see.

I guess the potatoes don't look too bad for the weather we've had. They were planted a month ago today. The hills had dried enough by Sat., I hoed around them, yesterday, it was dry enough to shallow till between the rows. Love to see those tiny white thread roots turned up for the hot sun to kill. Ought to be good for another week or so.

 

[oldballs]

Billy Bee,

I have had the same experience raising corn and trapping ahead of tassels . My fencing keeps out everything except the coons and possums. They climbs right over. I hate to bother with trapping. This year I'm too sick to raise corn and deal with the critters. I bet DJ54 electric fence would work.

Cheers,
Mike

 

[DJ54]

My home made transplanter earned it's keep for another year. 17-1/2 dozen plants set in about 1-1/2 hours. Well worth the time and effort to build. My old back, and knees appreciate it. Also got a row of Peas re-planted, that the first planting rotted from all of the rain.

Also got T-posts driven back in, and electric fence strung back up, and charger set, and plugged in. Hope it works, didn't check. Maybe the wire alone will keep that pesky doe out, until I get it checked out today. I have a spare, just in case...

Definitely a long day with this 87ｺ heat. Think I'll take it easy today.

 

[ovrszd]

Billy Bee,

I have had the same experience raising corn and trapping ahead of tassels . My fencing keeps out everything except the coons and possums. They climbs right over. I hate to bother with trapping. This year I'm too sick to raise corn and deal with the critters. I bet DJ54 electric fence would work.

Cheers,
Mike

Thanks for the garden pics Mike. Looks great to me!!!! Prayers for your health.

 

[cqaigy2]

Nice looking garden!