Let's Talk BBQ
Tips, Tricks & Just Good Advice! => Good to Know! - A collection of How-To's & Sage Advice => Garden to Table - Growing Your Own! => Topic started by: smoker pete on March 24, 2014, 10:42:59 AM
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With another Nor'easter threatening the East Coast I realize that a garden is the last thing on many people's mind. Especially for our Northern friends and Canadians ... But, in other portions of the Country gardens are being planted 8) 8)
I'll start it off with my garden, to date, here in Northern California (about 70 miles East of San Francisco)
Took out my lawn 2 years ago and installed raised beds ... BBQ units under covered patio ;D
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/garden2014-14_zpsfa87bcff.jpg)
Tomatoes ... room for scallions
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/garden2014-18_zpsd05ba4c8.jpg)
Zucchini, yellow squash, cucumbers, and marigolds ... room for radishes
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/garden2014-19_zps44d8b1d5.jpg)
Eggplant, jalapeños, red and green bell peppers ... room for some carrots
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/garden2014-17_zps8ea2b2c3.jpg)
Bush green beans, bush Italian green beans, spinach, marigolds
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/garden2014-26_zpsdaf0006c.jpg)
Strawberries
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/garden2014-13_zpseeaedcc6.jpg)
Spaghetti and Butternut squash are planted in beds on the retaining wall. Will train them to grow on a trellis. Going to use 1 full bed for corn planted at different intervals.
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Awesome setup Pete!
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Supposed to get six to 12 inches of snow Tuesday night... too early to do any planting in New England!!
Nice set up though... wish mine was like that!
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I am gonna do my produce shopping at Smoker Petes....while he is sleeping ;) ;)
Great looking garden. Wendy was just saying this weekend that when we get to Bama, she would like to have a garden. Gonna show her this excellent set up 8)
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Here's my garden.
(http://i1120.photobucket.com/albums/l494/edsigman/ranch1.jpg) (http://s1120.photobucket.com/user/edsigman/media/ranch1.jpg.html)
It is getting ready for one crop: hay!
Just one of the areas we will be cultivating this year.
When we can, we buy our vegetables from the ranchers in the area where they set up stands and sell their home grown stuff.
Ed
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I'd like to do raised bed - we have an awful mole/gopher problem - sometimes you can actually see the plants shake like in an old Bugs Bunny cartoon.
I like your watering manifold - I did something like that a couple decades ago when we didn't have deer/mole/gopher/turkey/moose infestations we have today. I ran the water lines to the area where each plant was to be placed and then covered everything with heavy black plastic sheeting held down with hay between the rows. The water lines were underneath the plastic. Poked holes through the plastic to plant. The black plastic soaked up the sun and actually made the plants grow quite a bit faster due to the enhanced warmth of the roots (I experimented with zucchini under the plastic, and without plastic - the difference was dramatic).
In addition, I only had to water the garden beneath the black plastic twice that season. I might try that again, but using raised bed instead (we put up an 8-foot deer fence last summer)
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Talk about having one's priorities in order! Dee
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Given the drought there in Cali, I'm almost embarrassed to say that we haven't been able to plant our garden yet because of TOO much water! We have lots of seed starts taking over the dining room table, and they're getting too big for their pots since we haven't been able to plant.
Pz-- I like your idea with the black plastic-- that must be a huge water saver, and save lots of time not having to pull weeds! Will have to see about doing a set up like that with our huge plot as soon as it dries out enough to till! We still need to put up fencing around ours too-- we just have a chicken problem rather than a gopher problem. :)
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Here's mine after today's snowstorm...
(http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/q616/bbqchef/2014gardenwm.jpg)
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Given the drought there in Cali, I'm almost embarrassed to say that we haven't been able to plant our garden yet because of TOO much water! We have lots of seed starts taking over the dining room table, and they're getting too big for their pots since we haven't been able to plant.
You're right about the drought Kat. We're experiencing the worst drought in 100 years here in California :( :( BUT we're actually getting a bit of rain today!! ;D Who says it never rains in California?! :-\ Course, we could use 30 days and 30 nights of rain ... Glad I got my garden planted. Planted my 1st 3 rows of Corn yesterday.
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/garden2014-29_zps78c164ad.jpg)
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pz, the black plastic works well. A Barn Owl box for nesting works well for me with the gopher problem. I have 12 scattered over the ranch.
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Great garden!
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OK,on left,from front is parsley,then Brussels sprouts,and an artichoke you cant see,right is kale,carrot and lots of strawberry runners,all overwintered,very cool.This is where the aquaponic hoophouse will be built,it will be 10x12 feet.
(http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag47/1spudster/gd146_zps588971c0.jpg) (http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/1spudster/media/gd146_zps588971c0.jpg.html)
This is the Mantis composter,just got it for 80 dollars on Craigslist
(http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag47/1spudster/gd143_zps180cd165.jpg) (http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/1spudster/media/gd143_zps180cd165.jpg.html)
Chickens and ducks.Have Limes.lemon,grapefruit,oranges and tangerines,7 total.They each have 3-4 15 watt old style Christmas bulb.When frost or snow they get covered with a trashcan and at 34f lights heat em,at 36 lights turn off.They all survived frost and snow this year.
(http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag47/1spudster/gd144_zpsefe7dd96.jpg) (http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/1spudster/media/gd144_zpsefe7dd96.jpg.html)
Here we have yellow hyacinth in a bed of oregano,a pink dwarf peach,rest of bulbs havent bloomed yet.All trees are dwarf.
(http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag47/1spudster/gd142_zpsa6cfe0d9.jpg) (http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/1spudster/media/gd142_zpsa6cfe0d9.jpg.html)
On the left in pink is a peach,the 3 above with white blossoms are assorted pears,above them are 6 different apples.Back fence has 2 thornless berries,top and bottom fence on left has 2 pomegranates that survived winter,very cool!~
(http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag47/1spudster/gd141_zpsc96b6a7d.jpg) (http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/1spudster/media/gd141_zpsc96b6a7d.jpg.html)
Also have other berries,spices and grapes that didnt make pics,not bad for such a small yard.All trees planted last fall.
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Very nice garden spuds 8) Been wondering if I should get me one of those composters!? I know they're great to have.
But I have one question ... Where are the 'spuds'? :D :D
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We had some volunteer spuds in the mulch pile once,next time we tried bugs got em.
The composter is more for getting rid of endless pine needles than compost,would be nice if it speeds things up,takes 2 years to break down in pile,but makes good stuff and tons of worm treats for birdies.
Great beds you have there.
I just picked up 20 tomatoes for 20 bucks,all kinds from sweet 100 on up,one of few veggies I can grow here,peas do real good.
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First Sweet 100 Cherry Tomato ... Look for it at the center of the photo ... 8)
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/garden2014-33_zpsa8c6f8b0.jpg)
Spaghetti Squash seedlings
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/garden2014-34_zpscad135db.jpg)
Bush Beans seedlings
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/garden2014-36_zpsabc9239c.jpg)
Blooming Strawberry patch
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/garden2014-32_zpsa9eb122a.jpg)
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Looks good!
My darn fruit tress in bloom got hit with 29F last night,hope I didnt lose the whole crop.
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Looks like my blossoms survived the frost,now the apples are starting to bloom,go out in the morning with my paint brush and play Bee,pollinating em.Saw some baby fruits on the weeping nectarine.
The variegated lime has a baby on it.The citrus doing great,nice dark green color coming on.The kale has come bloomin back,very cool.
Got peas and cukes started,and some asparagus seeds.The asparagus bed has shoots pushing up.
The bulbs bloomed late but seeing some flowers now.
Looks like a great year coming up,an awesome 75 degrees F here today.Oh,and the 2 white ducks laying an egg/day,just right for us.Nice big eggs with strong shells.
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Spuds-- glad to hear the frost didn't wipe out your trees! How old are your asparagus plants? I haven't been rooted in one place really long enough to ever start asparagus, but would love to now that I'm settled. I planted bulbs for the first time (ever!) in Fall, and my hyacinth just bloomed last week. Just planted some lilies and gladiolus recently, and can't wait to see those come up!
Aren't duck eggs the best? So rich and hearty. Are your ducks Pekins? We couldn't believe how tough the shells were to crack the first time ours started laying.
Can't wait to get my snap peas going-- I could eat a bushel full of those just about daily!
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The asparagus were tiny ferns from Garden Center last spring,they put up little skinny shoots.Got 3 different types.Some are still skinny,others like a pencil,very cool.So I have 25 Martha washington crowns I ordered from Amazon due any time.Also planted some seeds,why not,I'll give it a shot.
We think the ducks are Pekins,friend gave em to us,he is concentrating more on chickens,they harvest for meat too.The males are Rouen we think.
Agree totally,duck eggs better and ducks produce eggs much longer,Im for ducks going forward.My little Khaki Campbell stopped laying when the new girls came in last fall,until then she was a reliable egg a day too,hope she gets back into it.But she went to bottom of pecking order,then the males wouldnt leave her alone,only recently has she calmed down and getting back into a routine.
(http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag47/1spudster/nd1_zpsfac6bee0.jpg) (http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/1spudster/media/nd1_zpsfac6bee0.jpg.html)
Girl loves her birdies
(http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag47/1spudster/nd8_zpseae96658.jpg) (http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/1spudster/media/nd8_zpseae96658.jpg.html)
Snookie just kind of watches em
(http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag47/1spudster/nd5_zps05c19b0a.jpg) (http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/1spudster/media/nd5_zps05c19b0a.jpg.html)
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Yep, those look like Pekins to my eye! :) Your black/green one looks more like a Cayuga, but the one multicolored male is most likely Rouen, like you said. Got quite the bug eating crew there for your trees! How great that your dogs do well around them too- Girl looks like she's just one of the flock! :) Hope your little Khaki gets back in the swing-- stress (which males are a big source of!) can induce them to molt and stop laying for awhile, so she'll likely get back on track before too long.
I noticed your trees are in buckets in the ground-- and I think I remember you saying they are dwarf varieties. Can they stay in the bucket like that indefinitely, or do they outgrow them eventually? We don't have quite the climate for citrus, but we're hoping to add some mulberries, figs, and apple trees to our place for some extra scavenging for the chickens and goats.
Sounds like you'll have quite the asparagus crop when they get all settled! Good luck with starting some from seeds, I've heard that's rather difficult. Can't hurt to try, maybe you've got a special knack for it.
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Actually those are plastic rings around the trees.I agree,thought Cayuga too,but Mrs saw some Rouens like Him.I think Cayuga too. I dont have a climate for citrus either,when snow or frost I cover with trashcans and heat with Christmas lights on a thermostat,works too! Cool,eh?
This is my neighbors yard,moved in last fall.The Old Gals that lived there planted all these fantastic bulbs,he was letting em die! We got two rain falls that saved em,now his Virgin Mary looks like she was always meant to be there.Would look great at a Mission.
Complimented him today,and asked permission to photograph,he has some great daffodils too,many many varieties.Think he will water em next year.
He doesnt get it yet we kill up here to see something that isnt brown or green.Maybe,just maybe, he got it.
Nice huh?
(http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag47/1spudster/ogf_zpsdb303309.jpg) (http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/1spudster/media/ogf_zpsdb303309.jpg.html)
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With weather in the mid to high 80s my garden is enjoying the heat 8) 8)
Bush Green Beans, Bush Italian Beans, and Spinach
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/garden2014-44_zps46ac7846.jpg)
Spaghetti Squash
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/garden2014-39_zpsff3f6e97.jpg)
Zucchini, Yellow squash, Cucumbers, and Radish
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/garden2014-42_zps82a927f9.jpg)
Butternut Squash
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/garden2014-41_zpsd384b359.jpg)
Eggplant, Jalapenos, Green and Red Bell Peppers
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/garden2014-46_zpsfadfbb0c.jpg)
Corn breaking ground. Next 3 rows to be planted when these reach 2" tall
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/garden2014-45_zps58e0bdc3.jpg)
5 types of Tomatoes
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/garden2014-51_zps8fc2b34f.jpg)
Strawberry Patch
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/garden2014-55_zps221ddb43.jpg)
Garden 2014
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/garden2014-57_zpsd10699cf.jpg)
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Garden 2011 ...
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Garden2_zps25bbd96b.jpg)
Garden 2014 ...
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/garden2014-58_zps79660385.jpg)
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Very nice Pete,you are a bit ahead of me yet,I need to get the tomatoes in the ground.You are looking awesome.
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Got the maters in,lots of worms from teeny to a fat sucker that looked like a pencil,hope thats a good sign the nutrition is right there.
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Got the maters in,lots of worms from teeny to a fat sucker that looked like a pencil,hope thats a good sign the nutrition is right there.
I've always believed that worms in the garden is a good thing :)
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I've read where you can train Spaghetti Squash and Butternut Squash to grow on trellises ... So, I just visited Tractor Supply and got some cattle fencing to build my trellises.
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/garden2014-63_zps151beb7d.jpg)
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/garden2014-62_zpsad838406.jpg)
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/garden2014-61_zps4f1414d4.jpg)
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Won't be long now. The first of many Zucchini and Yellow Squash 8)
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/garden2014-64_zpsb274c0a7.jpg)
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That should work,very nice.I found some squash sprouts growing in my composter so being the good gardener I planted the things!
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That should work,very nice.I found some squash sprouts growing in my composter so being the good gardener I planted the things!
I think it will just fine Spuds. I've never grown spaghetti squash before so I was pleasantly surprised to see yesterday that they latch on to a trellis like a cucumber plant using tentacles :)
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/garden2014-65_zpsabad03e5.jpg)
I'm starting to look into a composter Spuds. Especially the dual composter at Costco which has two 50-gal tumblers. My Dad used to have a compost pile when I lived in New Hampshire back in the 1960s. That was some good stuff he got for his garden!
What do you load your composter with? I presume the normal items like lawn clippings, leaves, organic waste, etc.? Wonder if I can load some Redwood needles from my 2 Redwood trees in the backyard? Can you throw in coffee grounds? Egg shells? With the price of everything going up making my own compost seems like a good idea :)
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/composter_zps79037baf.jpg)
Won't be long now for a few yellow squash ...
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/garden2014-66_zpsee0696c2.jpg)
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That's an awesome garden, Pete. Nice arrangement and execution, as well as plants.
This is our 2014 Garden, photo taken this noon -
(http://www.deansmiley.com/Files/2014%20garden.jpg)
It was 26 friggin degrees this morning.
She does have garlic up! :)
(http://www.deansmiley.com/Files/garlic.jpg)
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Wingman,very nice!
Pete,I put in pine needles but they compost really slow,but a lot faster in compost tumbler than on the ground.Im a rookie with the tumbler but all you said was all Ive read online,coffee and eggs are supposed to be super for em.Just no meat.I need to get a pic,mine hasnt got hot yet but the needles really breaking down nicely.Here is one site i got info from Washington State university ( admin please delete if a link is a no no?)
http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/compost/fundamentals/needs_carbon_nitrogen.htm
Hot dang those squash are awesome!!
I planted a beauty of a asparagus patch today,I will put mention of supplier if admin says ok,and pics later.Ive never seen such gorgeous 2 year crowns before!
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My new asparagus bed...
New crowns,what beauties,2 year old Mary Washington
Got them on amazon from here
25 2nd Year Mary Washington Variety Asparagus Roots/Plants
Sold by JW Farms
(http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag47/1spudster/asp2_zps69b03530.jpg) (http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/1spudster/media/asp2_zps69b03530.jpg.html)
(http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag47/1spudster/asp3_zpsab9a20a8.jpg) (http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/1spudster/media/asp3_zpsab9a20a8.jpg.html)
My new 25 plant bed
(http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag47/1spudster/asp4_zpsf1ef6d47.jpg) (http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/1spudster/media/asp4_zpsf1ef6d47.jpg.html)
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Good looking Asparagus roots there spuds. Looks like you have plenty of room for your bed. An established Asparagus bed will produce for 20 years!!! :o
I messed up when I planted my Asparagus bed 2 years ago! :( Planted 2 year old roots and last year the bed looked like this
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Asparagus2013/Asparagus1_zpsefc29fb2.jpg)
But I planted the roots too close. This year I thought I would be eating Asparagus every night but the bed became root bound and I'm having to take it out >:( That will teach me to ignore the spacing requirements. Fortunately I live right in the middle of the California Delta and they grow a zillion tons of Asparagus. Right now the local fruit stands carry Asparagus that was cut yesterday!! Talk about fresh 8)
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You will plant elsewhere right? That asparagus is good stuff,yes,price to buy hasnt been bad this year down here,a dollar a bunch on sale.
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You will plant elsewhere right? That asparagus is good stuff,yes,price to buy hasn't been bad this year down here,a dollar a bunch on sale.
We're paying about $1.70/lb at the local fruit/vegetable stands and about $2.10/lb at Costco for Asparagus from Mexico and central America. We normally eat Asparagus year round thanks to Costco. Love the stuff ;D
To do it right I would have to dedicate a complete 4' x 8' raised bed but I'm not sure yet if I want to do that. Then it takes 3 years to be able to harvest a crop. Fortunately you can buy 1 or 2 year old plants/roots.
Back in the day ... about 20 years ago ... we used to buy a whole lug of fresh Asparagus from the fields for $5! But then everything was cheaper back in the day ...
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Pete,you asked about composter,Did some thinking on the subject and this is what I know about it.
I learned what to get from a friend who is to gardening what the posters here are to food,very knowledgeable.He told me to get one with a handle to turn,and even then it takes effort.But much easier.
Think of it as having a 50 lb sack of cement in there,Trying to turn it it flops around and you have to muscle it up until it flips.Without a crank handle thats pretty challenging to turn those barrels I would think,havent actually done it,but can see how the forces work on mine.
He said get a mantis with a handle ( or similar I guess) ,and get it from craigslist.He got his free because the frame had a crack he welded.I got mine I think for 80 bucks,they are like 300+ new,was only a few years old and works great mechanically.They hold a pretty heavy load when loaded up.
But to find em you have to check CL a LOT because they sell fast! That too tells us something,others dont sell nearly so quick.
Like within hours,have to be in right place at the right time,or if you have money can always buy one.Me,money is hard to let loose of,Im a thrifty shopper.Took me about 3 months to finally manage to grab one.
So i would say,do what my friend told me and its good advice from a pro whose only agenda is to help a friend.
Also buy a 4 WD Diesel truck made before 1997,but thats another story,but he was right again,LOL. Smart guy.
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WOW!!!
My new bed already has asparagus starting to break the soil!
Next week I should have pics of plants coming up. My old bed is tight like yours but up are the spikes and going nutso,gotta love a garden!
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WOW!!!
My new bed already has asparagus starting to break the soil!
Next week I should have pics of plants coming up. My old bed is tight like yours but up are the spikes and going nutso,gotta love a garden!
Sounds great. Looking forward to seeing some pics ...
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OK,this is composter loaded with a lot of pine needles,straw and bird poop 1 month ago,very full.
Also colors are horrible,dont know why.
Last 2 pictures I took today
First fill
(http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag47/1spudster/isc3_zpsbcc27cba.jpg) (http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/1spudster/media/isc3_zpsbcc27cba.jpg.html)
1 month later,about 1/3rd less mass.In reality this stuff is black in color.Set in some pots to sprout cuke seeds,they didnt take outside,take em out when I rotate 2-3 turns a day.ALL veggie scraps going in.
(http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag47/1spudster/isc4_zps64ba1c45.jpg) (http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/1spudster/media/isc4_zps64ba1c45.jpg.html)
Just warm,not getting hot yet.Check out the worms!
(http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag47/1spudster/isc2_zps638cd1a8.jpg) (http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/1spudster/media/isc2_zps638cd1a8.jpg.html)
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Saw my first 2 stalks come up asparagus bed,23 to go. :)
Ive been putting a ton of veggie pulp in the composter and it seems to have no problem gobbling it up.
Other than that,nothing new here.
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Got some fences moved and cleared a spot to start the greenhouse (will take all season,moving slow on it).
Picked up some nice pickling cucumber plants and my own cukes are starting to finally sprout.Will plant them and beans maybe tomorrow if weather seems right.
Have about 7 or 8 plants coming up in asparagus bed,and most the apple have babies,as well as a peach tree has a couple.The tree's are coming in nicely.All the citrus have put out new growth but for the 2 lemons.This is their first full season here.
Had a NICE .25 inch rain today,garden looks very happy. Oh,and my tomatoes are FINALLY starting to show new growth,about right on schedule for here,our season safely starts On Mothers Day.So actually Im a little ahead.
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Blessed with decent weather again ... in the mid 70ºF to mid 80ºF ... a week or so ago it got into the mid 90ºF range! Way too hot for this time of year.
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/garden2014-74_zps20dc6887.jpg)
Bush Beans, Spinach and Yellow tomato ...
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/Beans/beans4_zps1ef80d03.jpg)
Second planting of Corn ... 3 rows. First planting only produced 5 plants :( . 2nd planting starting to sprout.
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/Corn/corn1_zps6fc135f7.jpg)
Cucumbers with 2nd crop of Radishes
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/Cucumber/cucumbers3_zps28fec108.jpg)
Peppers (Jalapeno, Red and Green Bell Peppers) with Egg Plants in the back
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/Peppers/peppers2_zpsa45878da.jpg)
Squash ... Zucchini, Yellow, Spaghetti, and Butternut
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/Squash/squash6_zpse52b8970.jpg)
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/Squash/squash7_zpsdf05c052.jpg)
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/Squash/squash8_zps649a3400.jpg)
Strawberry patch
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/Strawberries/strawberries1_zpsb5c5cdbe.jpg)
Tomatoes
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/Tomatoes/tomatoes1_zps686c5662.jpg)
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/Tomatoes/tomatoes2_zpse923ca29.jpg)
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/Tomatoes/tomatoes4_zpsc91917b5.jpg)
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/Tomatoes/tomatoes3_zpsf6aa4168.jpg)
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Holy cow, Pete, that is one gorgeous garden! You have that space absolutely dialed in. You guys must be so stoked for everything to ripen!
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Looks very healthy,NICE! ;)
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wow, that's impressive - our garden is still incubating in the greenhouse!
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I still have a BIG CHUNK OF ICE in my swimming pool.....garden season is still 2 months away and than its September and winter is right back in my face ??? ::) :'(
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Holy cow, Pete, that is one gorgeous garden! You have that space absolutely dialed in. You guys must be so stoked for everything to ripen!
Thanks Kat. I do enjoy a garden over a green lawn. I can eat my garden harvest but I can't eat my lawn ;D ;D
Course here in California we're going to be rationing water soon and I'll let my front lawn die but NOT my garden!
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Mrs has one of those chopped off celery ends growing in garden.That one died,kept getting molested and dug up,so tried another.
This time grew 3 inch or so roots on it,dug a hole.Filled with 30% composted material,then 75% composted layer and topped with a slimy veggie pulp 25% composted glob,on that I spread the roots and lightly covered them with dirt. Since Ive had seeds sprout in the composter figure this will be a nutrient rich medium that will stay nice and moist and just hug those roots into nirvana.
Then in same area dug more holes about shovel sized and filled with completed compost and planted some cukes and snap peas,they look real happy.They will be trained up the fence.
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FINALLY got our garden dialed in a bit over Memorial Day weekend. The gigantic area James had dug up for me in our field with an excavator turned out to be just way too wet with underground springs, so we had to revamp our plans.
We had a couple of raised beds off our back deck, which were awfully handy, but the chickens had taken over. We lost most of the plants last year to curious little beaks and scratching toes.
We had my little old toyota parked next to the planters on the little parking pad, but we haven't driven it in quite some time, so figured we could use that space for better purposes.
(http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae138/katrinarounds/before_zps11da21c9.jpg) (http://s965.photobucket.com/user/katrinarounds/media/before_zps11da21c9.jpg.html)
We started by laying down some old feed sacks on the pavement portion, and moving the cement blocks to reform the planter boxes on the parking pad.
(http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae138/katrinarounds/liner_zps5624d8e0.jpg) (http://s965.photobucket.com/user/katrinarounds/media/liner_zps5624d8e0.jpg.html)
We alternated layers of compost, dirt, and 'chicken infused' straw to make a lovely, stinky compost-lasagna.
(http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae138/katrinarounds/layers_zps25a3bda2.jpg) (http://s965.photobucket.com/user/katrinarounds/media/layers_zps25a3bda2.jpg.html)
We also put in a layer of some spent grains from a local brewery in one box, just to see how that worked.
(http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae138/katrinarounds/spentgrains_zpsbe328f43.jpg) (http://s965.photobucket.com/user/katrinarounds/media/spentgrains_zpsbe328f43.jpg.html)
Then we took a break and had some lunch, while our tilling crew went to work.
(http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae138/katrinarounds/inspectioncrew_zps0c193fbb.jpg) (http://s965.photobucket.com/user/katrinarounds/media/inspectioncrew_zps0c193fbb.jpg.html)
James's next project was welding up some fencing to keep our chickens from decimating the entire garden. Yes, welding while wearing a Kilt. Apparently keeping his leg hair intact wasn't high on this priority list.
(http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae138/katrinarounds/james_zpsf4e7946d.jpg) (http://s965.photobucket.com/user/katrinarounds/media/james_zpsf4e7946d.jpg.html)
Everything planted and chicken proofed! Been almost a week, and not a single one of those mother cluckers has broken in!! Whoo hoo!!
(http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae138/katrinarounds/chickenfree_zpse555c5e3.jpg) (http://s965.photobucket.com/user/katrinarounds/media/chickenfree_zpse555c5e3.jpg.html)
Here's the before and after: we shifted the raised beds to the pavement, then planted a bunch of veggies along the fence line and in the dirt area.
(http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae138/katrinarounds/before_zpsea3a2594.jpg) (http://s965.photobucket.com/user/katrinarounds/media/before_zpsea3a2594.jpg.html)
Will see how it all does! We have tomatoes, tomatillos, onions, pumpkins, sweet peppers, hot peppers, sunflowers, cucumbers, green beans, sweet peas, watermelon, cantaloupe, lettuce, carrots, zucchini, butternut squash, cabbage, strawberries, and rhubarb all crammed in there (only a couple of each type). Most were from seed, but had some tomato, pepper, and cucumber starts from indoors, so we'll see how they handle the transplanting!
James also welded some shelves in the corner of the fencing, so I have some container pots with herbs of all sorts as well!
Willis and Bayou found that project supervision was exhausting work.
(http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae138/katrinarounds/tiredsupervisors_zps8869db3d.jpg) (http://s965.photobucket.com/user/katrinarounds/media/tiredsupervisors_zps8869db3d.jpg.html)
Thanks for looking, I can't wait to start seeing some germination! We've had fabulous weather in the low 70's, just lovely! :)
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Great garden and great pictures! Thanks for sharing.
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Looks great Kat ... does the shade I see bother the garden much? Butternut Squash love trellises.
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Nice job Kat,like it a LOT! ;)
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Nice job Kat,like it a LOT! ;)
X2!
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Great looking garden Kat!!! Tell James I like the shot of him in his kilt! ::) Don
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You always tell great stories Kat ;D
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New asparagus bed is coming in like gangbusters.All the dwarf citrus have buds,the rio red grapefruit has blossomed,smells great.Tomatoes Finally showing some growth,and a couple cukes starting to take off.For some reason my snap peas just sitting there,last year they were monster growers.
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Looks great Kat ... does the shade I see bother the garden much? Butternut Squash love trellises.
Thanks Pete! The shade hasn't been too big of a problem before-- it only blocks sun during early afternoon really, so it still gets plenty of light.
Good to know with the squash and trellises!
Great looking garden Kat!!! Tell James I like the shot of him in his kilt! ::) Don
(DON'T ENCOURAGE HIM!!) hehehe He LOVES that thing. I suspect there's a requirement in his will that he be buried in it. :) Took him a couple days to make, but it sure is sturdy! I've suggested if he sews up another, he consider moving his black sewing label to somewhere other than "front and center"-- always a little awkward in public when people lean in to read what it says. ??? :o
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Finally got things planted in Iowa a couple of weeks ago. It took forever for the ground to warm up this year. We don't have room in our yard for everything we want so us and another couple in our development rent two 20 x 50 garden plots on the edge of the city together. $21 each and they have a free water spicket 10 feet away.
Our two lots
(http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i341/bam91966/Garden.png) (http://s1089.photobucket.com/user/bam91966/media/Garden.png.html)
32 tomato plants
(http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i341/bam91966/garden3.png) (http://s1089.photobucket.com/user/bam91966/media/garden3.png.html)
24 pepper plants
(http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i341/bam91966/Garden2.png) (http://s1089.photobucket.com/user/bam91966/media/Garden2.png.html)
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WOW Bam!!
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That's awesome that you can rent garden space, and they've got the water, etc all set up for you! Looking forward to seeing all those tomatoes and peppers!! :)
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Fabulous garden!
I've always used tomato cages but I like the trestle system you setup. I use a similar setup for squash and other vine growing plants but never thought about using it for tomatoes. How well does it work? Do you kind of intertwine the plant as it grows since tomatoes do not have clinging shoots like cucumbers have.
Looking forward to seeing how that works for you ... or have you done this in the past :)
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We've been using cattle panels for about 15 years now. As they grow and start to get top heavy we intertwine and use bungee cords for the real heavy branches.
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Well, this is pathetic when compared to what you folks have done, but here's our tiny garden. A Harbor Freight greenhouse we purchased about 5 years ago for $199, which is still standing! Most of the posts are destined for the deck in a bit. The tiny fenced enclosure currently only has raspberries and eggplant installed.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-r7OD28F9Wy0/U5E1f1g0VDI/AAAAAAAAGOQ/FZJPJxvjCMs/w1338-h892-no/IMG_3372.JPG)
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Well, this is pathetic when compared to what you folks have done, but here's our tiny garden. A Harbor Freight greenhouse we purchased about 5 years ago for $199, which is still standing! Most of the posts are destined for the deck in a bit. The tiny fenced enclosure currently only has raspberries and eggplant installed.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-r7OD28F9Wy0/U5E1f1g0VDI/AAAAAAAAGOQ/FZJPJxvjCMs/w1338-h892-no/IMG_3372.JPG)
Hope those plants in the cage don't get away... ;) ;D ;D ;D
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PZ,I like it. ;) Not all of us have lots of room.My yard is tiny but I keep finding ways to cram in more,and determine what i can and cannot grow. I sure wish we had a 1/4 acre or more to grow on.
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PZ,I like it. ;) Not all of us have lots of room.My yard is tiny but I keep finding ways to cram in more,and determine what i can and cannot grow. I sure wish we had a 1/4 acre or more to grow on.
I agree ... It's the joy of getting dirt under the fingernails ;D ;D Let's face it - it's awfully easy to get produce from the grocery store and/or a farmer's market but it's just not the same as growing your own!
Spuds - have you looked into "square foot gardening"? The ultimate in getting the most out of small spaces.
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I don't do big gardens any more as I don't need that much. And a big garden would take up to much of my time weeding when I could be fishing :)
Any ways I have scaled it down to just tomatoes and Jalapeño peppers. I keep them in buckets and planters so if I need to move them inside the green house I can with no problem.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yFBECVDIqRM/U5IPCSNEjRI/AAAAAAAAJhQ/cNeGrNO5nY0/w702-h527-no/IMG_0825%255B1%255D.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bUzSW641uRE/U5IPPti0poI/AAAAAAAAJhY/D3yYxAnDURQ/w702-h527-no/IMG_0824%255B1%255D.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--VTslUsxd7A/U5IQ-iJIn-I/AAAAAAAAJhg/RFXDUAOv5G8/w412-h549-no/IMG_0826%255B1%255D.JPG)
Remember when it looked like this Brrrrrrr.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dpP7BsTBIbQ/Uz2tdybMR6I/AAAAAAAAI7I/1l8GBXVAR00/w702-h465-no/DSC_0071-SNOW.gif)
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very sensible - I like the fishing part especially!
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(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/Tomatoes/harvest5_zps8d3b9092.jpg)
With the weather hitting 105ºF today ... Way too hot for early June - actually, way too hot!!! ... the old garden is producing at full throttle. Picked these tomatoes this morning before it got too hot 8) 8)
I'm thinking a tomato, cucumber, and red onion salad tonight with the smoked chicken ;D Maybe make me some Pico de Gallo ...
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PZ,I like it. ;) Not all of us have lots of room.My yard is tiny but I keep finding ways to cram in more,and determine what i can and cannot grow. I sure wish we had a 1/4 acre or more to grow on.
I agree ... It's the joy of getting dirt under the fingernails ;D ;D Let's face it - it's awfully easy to get produce from the grocery store and/or a farmer's market but it's just not the same as growing your own!
Spuds - have you looked into "square foot gardening"? The ultimate in getting the most out of small spaces.
Yup,and containers are doing strawberries great.Did some hydroponic,ultimate space utilization but was hard to keep balanced.Next stop is aquaponics.
Hit 90F today and garden finally starting to grow.Ordered 25 more Mary Washington asparagus,thats a winner here.And got the 4 different cukes planted that are mildew resistant for another try at pickle cukes.Strawberries will be greatly expanded next year with runners from the pots in another marginal area.Doubled my rhubarb last year,and will divide the 2 plants again this year.
Making good progress this year.Mtn gardening with low temps,shade and short season makes a big learning curve.
Oh and Mrs made a potato cage.We tried before,you stacked more dirt on top as green grew.Failure.Found out the failure supposedly r/t not enough green to support plant. This time we are putting in layers,with plants on outer edge,growing out the sides instead of up.Last layer let plants grow up.Will see how that works,lots of green showing in just a couple weeks.
(http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag47/1spudster/ntc1_zps04006f16.jpg) (http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/1spudster/media/ntc1_zps04006f16.jpg.html)
(http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag47/1spudster/ntc2_zpsfeca0be5.jpg) (http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/1spudster/media/ntc2_zpsfeca0be5.jpg.html)
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devo.....Nice setup
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devo.....Nice setup
Thanks, if anyone wants to build a really easy green house this is the one to build. I am not a carpenter but manged to build this about 12 years ago. I has grown some good veggies and flowers over the years. Lately it has been used for storage until I retired and gave it new panels and cleaned it up some for growing again. All you need is 4x8 walls and a support frame for the tubing. I think I used 2 inch coiled tubing like you would use for well line. I got the screen door from the dump. It is framed for a window but never got around to putting one in. The plastic green house cover came from a farmers co-op that sells that heavy plastic. All in all I think it cost me about 3 hundred bucks to build using wood I already had. Some pics to give a better idea hopefully.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-G7xbAwofRX0/U5ZUowxcCsI/AAAAAAAAJm0/TAD80dWSdPI/w835-h553-no/DSC_0260.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h_9jwvyvZv8/U5ZUoyTFoTI/AAAAAAAAJm4/noUI5rtGJW8/w835-h553-no/DSC_0261.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NbiUl2KZWqA/U5ZUozIFt_I/AAAAAAAAJmw/AmZmG33TVG0/w835-h553-no/DSC_0262.JPG)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-JODyTKZ6llY/U5ZUy97yTTI/AAAAAAAAJnA/IJrjl-ph5MM/w835-h553-no/DSC_0263.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-FcxVwlxkM3g/U5ZU5G0PFGI/AAAAAAAAJnI/sA1Uwb-2q_M/w835-h553-no/DSC_0264.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-29-0vFTTgz8/U5ZU6S_xN0I/AAAAAAAAJnQ/zmpi5gqjS40/w835-h553-no/DSC_0265.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wHNb7dUHItc/U5ZU7WX572I/AAAAAAAAJnY/DVH0w2RWrDQ/w835-h553-no/DSC_0266.JPG)
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Devo I like your little green house and spuds I had a neighbor try the potato stack, had two of them and I was there when he dug one of them. Hardly enough potatoes for a meal. Don
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Devo I like your little green house and spuds I had a neighbor try the potato stack, had two of them and I was there when he dug one of them. Hardly enough potatoes for a meal. Don
X2 and did he top grow or side grow the taters?Top grow didnt work when we tried it,trying the side grow,just an experiment.
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Devo I like your little green house and spuds I had a neighbor try the potato stack, had two of them and I was there when he dug one of them. Hardly enough potatoes for a meal. Don
X2 and did he top grow or side grow the taters?Top grow didnt work when we tried it,trying the side grow,just an experiment.
He did the top grow. I'll have to tell him about your side grow experiment. Don
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Devo I like your little green house and spuds I had a neighbor try the potato stack, had two of them and I was there when he dug one of them. Hardly enough potatoes for a meal. Don
X2 and did he top grow or side grow the taters?Top grow didnt work when we tried it,trying the side grow,just an experiment.
He did the top grow. I'll have to tell him about your side grow experiment. Don
Supposedly this is done successfully on farms in Mexico.
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Nice little growing shack Devo ;)
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(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer2014/Tomatoes/harvest5_zps8d3b9092.jpg)
With the weather hitting 105ºF today ... Way too hot for early June - actually, way too hot!!! ... the old garden is producing at full throttle. Picked these tomatoes this morning before it got too hot 8) 8)
I'm thinking a tomato, cucumber, and red onion salad tonight with the smoked chicken ;D Maybe make me some Pico de Gallo ...
Great looking tomatoes, bet the Pico de Gallo turns out great. ;)
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Great looking tomatoes, bet the Pico de Gallo turns out great. ;)
Sure did! ... Tomatoes and green peppers from the garden with red onions from the fruit/vegetable stand ;D
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Harvest2014/salsa1_zps23ae78a3.jpg)
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Very nice Pete. ;) ;D :P
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Great looking tomatoes, bet the Pico de Gallo turns out great. ;)
Sure did! ... Tomatoes and green peppers from the garden with red onions from the fruit/vegetable stand ;D
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Harvest2014/salsa1_zps23ae78a3.jpg)
Awesome, just awesome looking. ;)
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We don't have any vegetables to eat just yet, but the lilies we planted last year are just stunning right now!
(http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae138/katrinarounds/lily_zps0eef6dd8.jpg) (http://s965.photobucket.com/user/katrinarounds/media/lily_zps0eef6dd8.jpg.html)
Can't believe how many blooms each one has!
(http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae138/katrinarounds/lilies_zpsb4721814.jpg) (http://s965.photobucket.com/user/katrinarounds/media/lilies_zpsb4721814.jpg.html)
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Nice Kat and boy are lilies hardy.I dug out a bunch for the asparagus beds,they look great in buckets with no soil.Wish I had someone to give to,better ask neighbors.
My toms are are growing,saw my first flower on a cuke.Getting lots of buds opening on the citrus.Strawberries too.
Got the other asparagus area planted,now have 50 plants,25 bloomed already.
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Happy Chickens
(http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag47/1spudster/hc1_zps333e95ad.jpg) (http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/1spudster/media/hc1_zps333e95ad.jpg.html)
Strawberries in pots,putting out runners,berries.Pulled a slug the size of my thumb,he didnt get the berries but got a couple of my cukes,instant duck food!
(http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag47/1spudster/sr2_zps2ea8fbe2.jpg) (http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/1spudster/media/sr2_zps2ea8fbe2.jpg.html)
(http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag47/1spudster/sr1_zps762169a8.jpg) (http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/1spudster/media/sr1_zps762169a8.jpg.html)
(http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag47/1spudster/sr3_zps425ad0bd.jpg) (http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/1spudster/media/sr3_zps425ad0bd.jpg.html)
Dwarf fruit and citrus,this first year whole season here,3rd year starting their ages.Trimmed em up,pic doesnt begin to do them justice,they are gorgeous!
(http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag47/1spudster/fct1_zps617cb9e0.jpg) (http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/1spudster/media/fct1_zps617cb9e0.jpg.html)
Base of 12x12 foot hoophouse FINALLY going in
(http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag47/1spudster/fct2_zpsfa3f9e7c.jpg) (http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/1spudster/media/fct2_zpsfa3f9e7c.jpg.html)
Thornless blackberry and seedless green grape,both large enough to produce this year,require very little care
(http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag47/1spudster/hbb_zps82df036d.jpg) (http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/1spudster/media/hbb_zps82df036d.jpg.html)
(http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag47/1spudster/hgg1_zps9240c812.jpg) (http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/1spudster/media/hgg1_zps9240c812.jpg.html)
(http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag47/1spudster/hgg_zpsab784d16.jpg) (http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/1spudster/media/hgg_zpsab784d16.jpg.html)
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New asparagus bed,50 plants,about 5x20 foot.Plants 1 week old are already coming up in newest section
(http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag47/1spudster/na_zpsd3ddec18.jpg) (http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/1spudster/media/na_zpsd3ddec18.jpg.html)
From either end...
(http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag47/1spudster/na1_zpsaadae37c.jpg) (http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/1spudster/media/na1_zpsaadae37c.jpg.html)
(http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag47/1spudster/na2_zpsdc24d9c8.jpg) (http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/1spudster/media/na2_zpsdc24d9c8.jpg.html)
Potato cage with chicken guards
(http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag47/1spudster/pb1_zps2728a95c.jpg) (http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/1spudster/media/pb1_zps2728a95c.jpg.html)
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WOW, Spuds, what a set up!! :) I haven't made the commitment to asparagus just yet, but would love to set up a permanent bed for them sometime. I'm fairly new to gardening, so having to look forward that many years for it to produce anything is like discussing marriage on the first date!
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Ive really redone my thinking.Now my priorities. Must make food.Must be hardy.Must come back year after year.Must be low maintenance.Asparagus sure is all that.No chemical insecticides/pesticides,if bugs kill them,and a natural predator doesnt surface,they are gone.Not wasting time or energy on that nonsense anymore.
Of course,yearly 'crops' are also welcome if they are producers.And make seeds.Really proud of my tomato seeds this year,though they got a late start Im still going to put them in.Never know,might get an Indian summer?
We have such a small yard Ive even pulled out the lillies,but still have bulbs that are awesome in areas nothing else would grow.Roses were just aphid magnets,have 2 left.The great 75 year old wild rose on neighbors side? Some charity thing cleaned their yard for them and they hacked it almost to death! ??? That darn rose was huge,healthy and made AWESOME rose hip tea.Will take a decade to recover,grrrrr! :-[
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Baby grapefruits,wonder how many I'll get when said and done?
(http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag47/1spudster/hg8_zpsee845a69.jpg) (http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/1spudster/media/hg8_zpsee845a69.jpg.html)
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Got some green tomatoes,hooray!
Grapes just coming along really nicely
(http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag47/1spudster/20141_zps9243c607.jpg) (http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/1spudster/media/20141_zps9243c607.jpg.html)
(http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag47/1spudster/20142_zps6799d78d.jpg) (http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/1spudster/media/20142_zps6799d78d.jpg.html)
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Nice grapes Spuds.
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Todays first tomato harvest of the season ::) ;D ;D ;D
(http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag47/1spudster/20143_zpse52e1efd.jpg) (http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/1spudster/media/20143_zpse52e1efd.jpg.html)
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Hey Spuds....Use Epson Salts to keep away slugs. A natural ingredient plus it makes the plants use fertilizer more efficient.
Also Raccoons hate the taste and will stay away. If you have a Boston fern around then a tablespoon every month or so will make it as green as it could be. I use it all the time.
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You warm climate guys are so lucky. In Canada we have to wait until we can move the Igloos to start our gardens.
I only grow heirlooms so they take longer. Pick some in late October if the weather holds.
Here is a cherry tomato that is not a heirloom but is a health tomato. It was released by Oregon State University in 2012.
Note the deep purple color. (Their aim was to develop a variety with the antioxidant attributes of the purple anthocyanins which have gathered interest because of their potential health benefits.)It only turns purple where the sun hits it so you have to keep the leafs trimmed. Mine look like they still have a couple of weeks to go. They are called Indigo Rose.
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag375/fredha1/P1010035_zps4d8cdc57.jpg)
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I haven't checked in here for awhile and sure some nice gardens. I envy you people in warm climate. I have picked two tomatoes so far. Kat your day lilies are beautiful. Did you ever eat any, most are edible and I did some once that were great. Like eating fried pumpkin blossoms. Don
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Don-- No, I haven't ever heard of that! They've already withered and dropped, but I'll have to keep that in mind for next year as a fun experiment to try! I do have some pumpkin blossoms out right now, but had never thought about eating them! :) Do they have a specific taste, or take on whatever you cook them with? Would make one heck of a garnish, if nothing else! :)
N. Ontario, those are some funky cool looking tomatoes! Oregon State U is about 45 minutes from us, and they do some amazing agricultural stuff there. It's been neat to learn a little about all the developments they've made over the years, and how neat to see their healthy tomatoes growing up North with you!
So far we've 'harvested' two cherry tomatoes and a half a dozen snap peas. :) I planted LOTS of peas, but only about four or five vines sprung up... might have gotten a bum batch of seeds. :( But our tomatoes, pumpkins, and zucchini are going gang busters!
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Kat..the flowers take on mostly what you eat them with..like zucchini..I take them and split them if they are big and dip them in egg then crushed crackers..Ritz, and fry them..they are fabulous, but you can also stuff them with anything. Crab meat is good so it tune, ham or chicken salad. Pam .☆´¯`•.¸¸. ི♥ྀ.
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Hey Spuds....Use Epson Salts to keep away slugs. A natural ingredient plus it makes the plants use fertilizer more efficient.
Also Raccoons hate the taste and will stay away. If you have a Boston fern around then a tablespoon every month or so will make it as green as it could be. I use it all the time.
Thanks!
Love that purple Tom,I need to remember this and plant next year,like what I read about them.Put some seeds on my amazon order. ;)
http://horticulture.oregonstate.edu/purple_tomato_faq
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Here's an update on my garden ... We're on the Oregon coast until the end of August and my neighbors are enjoying the fruits of my garden 8) 8) No use letting a good thing go to waste ;D ;D
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Pepper plants are doing a lot better in the green house. Getting a lot of peppers growing now and the plants are starting to sprout up.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xFo7vn8AHB0/U9FI22HJRmI/AAAAAAAAKHI/lMq0Qz-IIhA/w702-h465-no/DSC_0005.JPG)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Yt6XbJEvVX0/U9FIyG5lEII/AAAAAAAAKHA/znpdtk4HNCU/w702-h465-no/DSC_0004.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dJweN3rpW38/U9FInijaaTI/AAAAAAAAKGw/T8Cnl0EX2tU/w702-h465-no/DSC_0003.JPG)
Cherry tomatoes have been going strong for some time now.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xiJtVxOR3Ps/U9FI-hwZEfI/AAAAAAAAKHY/UZJ-6T7l9c0/w702-h465-no/DSC_0007.JPG)
The Juliet tomatoes are growing very well also. Another week or so they should be ready if the temps stay around for awhile.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mdFIMq6aYxU/U9FI5Bk4zPI/AAAAAAAAKHQ/XmdO53W53Mg/w702-h465-no/DSC_0006.JPG)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-mUIn13_Ot4c/U9FJAb1YmMI/AAAAAAAAKHg/gYdnDSGKLQI/w702-h465-no/DSC_0008.JPG)
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Even my rose bush bloomed this year. First time in three years ;)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_054k-x9n8A/U9FRvcNjOAI/AAAAAAAAKH0/eSwKbiQCXIs/w448-h549-no/DSC_0009_10_tonemapped.jpg)
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WTG Devo! 8)
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Peppers from the neighbors to the south, tomatoes from the neighbors to the north. Nectarines and blueberries were my only crop this year along with some basil.
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Very good TLG!
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Dang, all I have is a black thumb
All veggies and flowers look spectacular - good job guys!
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Don-- No, I haven't ever heard of that! They've already withered and dropped, but I'll have to keep that in mind for next year as a fun experiment to try! I do have some pumpkin blossoms out right now, but had never thought about eating them! :) Do they have a specific taste, or take on whatever you cook them with? Would make one heck of a garnish, if nothing else! :)
Kat I do them like Pam. dipped in egg then cracker crumbs and fried in butter. I have done pumpkin blossoms, squash blossoms and lilies. They are a taste treat. You need to pick them when the blossoms first come out before they are clear open. An old German neighbor lady turned me on to pumpkin blossoms and said to pick them early in the morning. In the past I have grown pumpkins and squash just for the blossoms. Don
An article that shows most all of the plant is edible http://honest-food.net/2010/06/29/dining-on-daylilies/
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Our first ever successful cucumbers,a pickling that is powdery mildew resistant.
(http://i1298.photobucket.com/albums/ag47/1spudster/fcc1_zpsace872fe.jpg) (http://s1298.photobucket.com/user/1spudster/media/fcc1_zpsace872fe.jpg.html)
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Looks good spuds ...
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Here's our tiny little squash babies ;D
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-r9GyLXKA4jQ/U9ckdQBU8rI/AAAAAAAAHjE/SPxaPTrK_00/w647-h863-no/20140728_122813.jpg)
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Cool,looks nice. ;)
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Since we're away from the garden for the better part of 2 months I'm having my neighbor take care of it and harvesting it for their eating pleasure. They sent me a couple shots of the garden yesterday and a shot of a delicious looking tomato salad 8)
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Harvest2014/garden1_zpscdf0e438.jpg)
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Harvest2014/garden2_zps07fd1ae5.jpg)
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Harvest2014/garden3_zpscb2cda86.jpg)
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Really throwing out some produce. :P
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My favorite is green beans. Wife got bush green bean seeds this year and I just picked a couple dinners worth. As a kid I picked beans in the summer to buy school clothes, that would be just wrong sending your 10 year old kids to the bean fields now a days ;)
(http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t139/asbachman/IMG_6078_zps39733183.jpg)
(http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t139/asbachman/IMG_6081_zpsd139a44d.jpg)
(http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t139/asbachman/IMG_6080_zps4731df96.jpg)
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... As a kid I picked beans in the summer to buy school clothes, that would be just wrong sending your 10 year old kids to the bean fields now a days ;)
I don't know, key, sometimes I think that the entitled youth of today would not be nearly so entitled if they had to pick beans for their school clothes - nothing wrong with a little hard work to make you appreciate things ;)
Your beans look great - we love them too - especially when they are pickled
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... As a kid I picked beans in the summer to buy school clothes, that would be just wrong sending your 10 year old kids to the bean fields now a days ;)
I don't know, key, sometimes I think that the entitled youth of today would not be nearly so entitled if they had to pick beans for their school clothes - nothing wrong with a little hard work to make you appreciate things ;)
Your beans look great - we love them too - especially when they are pickled
you just reminded me how much I like pickled green beans in my Bloody Mary's.. I will have to make a batch. thanks for the reminder PZ.
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Love beans,we picked strawberries as kids.....
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We got our first 'harvest' last night!! ::) ::)
(http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae138/katrinarounds/peas_zpsb93706c6.jpg) (http://s965.photobucket.com/user/katrinarounds/media/peas_zpsb93706c6.jpg.html)
The garden is growing like gangbusters, though-- the chicken poo we mixed into the soil is doing a better job than we anticipated, and it's turned into a regular jungle in there!! The tomato plants are just gargantuan. Turned out a lot more crowded than we anticipated!
(http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae138/katrinarounds/crazygarden_zpse6a6cab5.jpg) (http://s965.photobucket.com/user/katrinarounds/media/crazygarden_zpse6a6cab5.jpg.html)
The pumpkin plants are doing especially well-- they have a gazillion blossoms, and a few baby pumpkin starts. They are growing SO fast-- I swear this one wasn't here yesterday.
(http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae138/katrinarounds/punkin_zps3257bbc3.jpg) (http://s965.photobucket.com/user/katrinarounds/media/punkin_zps3257bbc3.jpg.html)
I'm a bit jealous of your beans, Key!! We planted bush beans too, and not a darn one grew!! Wondering if the seeds were old or something... we also planted a bunch of sweet peas, but only a couple of them took off. Those are usually about the only plant I can count on surviving! :)
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WOW!! That garden looks great Kat. I learned a long time ago that chicken poo can really make a garden hot and grow up the wazoos :D
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Amazing how that pumpkin plant has those feelers that reach out and tie off to the wire fence, Almost alien like ;)
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They really do seem alien!! I wish I could do a timelapse to see how far those grow in a day, it just seems surreal with those weird little curly tendrils helping the vine pull itself along the fencing.
I kind of threw the pumpkin seeds in there for a lark, so they're not even in one of the beds-- just inside one of the holes in the cinder block we used to make the beds. Certainly doesn't seem to be slowing it down any. We planned on feeding the pumpkins to the goats and chickens-- looks like they're going to have quite the spread this Fall!
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Lookin' good Kat,see you have lots of cool stuff going on right now.
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Very happy with what I'm getting off my plants. I get a container like this every second day which is plenty for me.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nVZrb9pKNxY/U9qZwD941MI/AAAAAAAAKO0/503mbX8Tx9g/w363-h548-no/DSC_0041.JPG)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-BH1vAENi0JA/U9qZvL7shVI/AAAAAAAAKOk/T75_jdKEsMI/w702-h465-no/DSC_0043.JPG)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hBHyAGxi0I4/U9zriDq639I/AAAAAAAAKQE/wqDNOjdn2KA/w702-h465-no/DSC_0049.JPG)
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Amazing Don, two months ago you had 4' of snow and now you have ripe tomatoes. Ours are all still green ??? Nice looking mators.
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Great harvest Don.Ive got a billion flowers now and some cherry toms for eating now.
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Pete,how is this years garden?
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Pete, how is this years garden?
Alas this year's garden did not produce up to my expectations. We were planning on being gone all Summer in the RV so I didn't plant a garden. Then I was contacted by Ulysses Press about writing The Wood Pellet Smoker and Grill Cookbook. Plans changed and I've been working on the book for a couple of months now. Since I was staying home this Summer I planted a garden just for grins. Here's what it looked like in it's early days.
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer%202015/2015Garden1_zps1dajuzoy.jpg)
The book has basically taken most of my time which means I've been remiss in maintaining the garden. I've also noticed for a few years now that the bee population just isn't what it used to be and should be. My squash for example had zillions of flowers but only produced a couple of squash every few days. I'm sorry to say that I let the garden go ... My tomatoes have been OK though. Here's what my weed garden looks like his morning!
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer%202015/2015Garden2_zpsvmeb0jgy.jpg)
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab105/papa_peter/Garden/Summer%202015/2015Garden3_zpsq5c7rg0v.jpg)
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Still looking good Pete.Looks like a lot to harvest yet. ;)