Post your garden pictures and tricks here

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Mike,

Our garden has 4 rows each, 4' wide by 50' long, with a 6' grass path between each row. This makes for easy access from each path to each row and easy grass cutting. We use black plastic to cover the entire row on 3 out of 4 rows. The plastic cuts down on weeding significantly. The peppers, tomatoes, etc love the warm soil. The plastic goes down as soon as we till in the spring. We have used the same plastic for 5 years. We dig a trench with a hoe on all 4 sides, and lay the plastic down and then cover with dirt. We cut a hole in the plastic for each plant. The 4th row is used for plants that can not be grown with plastic, potatoes, corn, beans, etc.

We also have used the construction cages, they last a long time, ours are on the 19th season and still going strong. I used the wire with a 6" by 6" holes, works great. The cages are about 18" across, by 4' high. I just use wood stake to anchor one side. Once the tomato starts to grow it holds the cage down fine. The rebar idea is a good one too.

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Mike,

Our garden has 4 rows each, 4' wide by 50' long, with a 6' grass path between each row. This makes for easy access from each path to each row and easy grass cutting. We use black plastic to cover the entire row on 3 out of 4 rows. The plastic cuts down on weeding significantly. The peppers, tomatoes, etc love the warm soil. The plastic goes down as soon as we till in the spring. We have used the same plastic for 5 years. We dig a trench with a hoe on all 4 sides, and lay the plastic down and then cover with dirt. We cut a hole in the plastic for each plant. The 4th row is used for plants that can not be grown with plastic, potatoes, corn, beans, etc.

We also have used the construction cages, they last a long time, ours are on the 19th season and still going strong. I used the wire with a 6" by 6" holes, works great. The cages are about 18" across, by 4' high. I just use wood stake to anchor one side. Once the tomato starts to grow it holds the cage down fine. The rebar idea is a good one too.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Working in the construction trades, I have access to all the re-wire I want. I did use it one year for cages. I only had about 10 cages made up then. The first winter I had to store them prompted me to shift to the tapered cages. They stack so well when not in use. I have 60 of them. I can stack all of them in one stack. That takes up less barn space. (Everything gets put away at the end of the season)

Another "trick" I've seen is to use "stock panels" to grow tomatoes on. I use 2X4" mesh fencing to grow sugar snap peas on, and 4"X4" "hog wire" to grow cucumbers on.

This year, I'm trying my hand at "container gardening". (Getting ready for the "old folks home") I've got 4 tomato plants growing in 5-gallon buckets. They're sitting on the back deck. It's easy to regulate fertilizer and water, but they require more constant attention that growing in a garden environment. (Water EVERY day right now) (The tapered tomato cages work GREAT with 5-gallon buckets, They slide down in the bucket about a foot, then wedge against the sides. I drill holes in the bucket, then zip-tie the cage to the top edge of the bucket. I can literally pick up the entire plant and planter by the wire cage.

Also, don't forget the teaspoon of Epsom Salts in the hole before you set your tomato plant. (Magnesium (sp?)) They love it!

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Working in the construction trades, I have access to all the re-wire I want. I did use it one year for cages. I only had about 10 cages made up then. The first winter I had to store them prompted me to shift to the tapered cages. They stack so well when not in use. I have 60 of them. I can stack all of them in one stack. That takes up less barn space. (Everything gets put away at the end of the season)

Another "trick" I've seen is to use "stock panels" to grow tomatoes on. I use 2X4" mesh fencing to grow sugar snap peas on, and 4"X4" "hog wire" to grow cucumbers on.

This year, I'm trying my hand at "container gardening". (Getting ready for the "old folks home") I've got 4 tomato plants growing in 5-gallon buckets. They're sitting on the back deck. It's easy to regulate fertilizer and water, but they require more constant attention that growing in a garden environment. (Water EVERY day right now) (The tapered tomato cages work GREAT with 5-gallon buckets, They slide down in the bucket about a foot, then wedge against the sides. I drill holes in the bucket, then zip-tie the cage to the top edge of the bucket. I can literally pick up the entire plant and planter by the wire cage.

Also, don't forget the teaspoon of Epsom Salts in the hole before you set your tomato plant. (Magnesium (sp?)) They love it!

 

[PineRidge]

Good tips guys, keep them coming.

Her'e an easy way to discourage birds. Save your old CDs and hang them from strings in the garden. The wind gets them to spinning and they reflect the sun. It spooks the birds pretty good. If they start getting used to them just rearrange the positions of the hanging CDs within the garden.

 

[PineRidge]

Good tips guys, keep them coming.

Her'e an easy way to discourage birds. Save your old CDs and hang them from strings in the garden. The wind gets them to spinning and they reflect the sun. It spooks the birds pretty good. If they start getting used to them just rearrange the positions of the hanging CDs within the garden.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Good tips guys, keep them coming.

Her'e an easy way to discourage birds. Save your old CDs and hang them from strings in the garden. The wind gets them to spinning and they reflect the sun. It spooks the birds pretty good. If they start getting used to them just rearrange the positions of the hanging CDs within the garden. )</font>

Old CD's???? I'm older than you think aparently. Will that work if I hang old 8-tracks from the string?

 

[Farmwithjunk]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Good tips guys, keep them coming.

Her'e an easy way to discourage birds. Save your old CDs and hang them from strings in the garden. The wind gets them to spinning and they reflect the sun. It spooks the birds pretty good. If they start getting used to them just rearrange the positions of the hanging CDs within the garden. )</font>

Old CD's???? I'm older than you think aparently. Will that work if I hang old 8-tracks from the string?

 

[PineRidge]

IF the 8 tracks are of Willie Nelson they'll keep everything out of the garden. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[PineRidge]

IF the 8 tracks are of Willie Nelson they'll keep everything out of the garden. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif