Author Archives: Brian Gallimore

Harvest 8/1/2018

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Aiden helped me pick tomatoes, peppers, and a few okra.  The okra are just starting to produce.  We found hornworms on the tomatoes, so we need to check those daily.  I cut the tomato plants way back because they were so overgrown and intertwined.  When planted as close as they are, you are supposed to keep the suckers cut, which I have failed to do.  I had some carrots that should have been harvested months ago.  They were not too tasty.

Mulch Added to Trees

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I brought in about 25 cu-yds of local tree mulch and spread it out in the area where my trees are planted. I have at least 6 inches of depth in most areas.  This should help cut down the number weeds that are competing with the fruit trees for water and nutrients, absorb water when it rains, build good soil over time, and help increase the soil health.

 

Garden Update 5/12/2018

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Most everything I have planted is doing great.  The snap peas are loaded and ready to harvest.  Onions are getting big.  I have some peppers and tomatoes on the vine.

The blackberry bushes I planted a few years ago are loaded with berries.  All my new blackberry transplants are alive and doing well.  Continue reading →

Free Garden Soil

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The soil in the creek bed behind the house is probably the best soil in Collin County. It is soft and easy to dig.  I appreciate the free donation from my neighbors at higher elevation.  I’m going to dig a little out and move it to the area where I want my new garden beds.  As a bonus, the depression I’m leaving should serve to slow the water down next time a big rain comes, so more ‘good top soil’ will settle in the area and provide me more.

Homemade Fire Ant Killer

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Start with a little less than 1 gallon of water in a 1 gallon container with a screw cap

  • add 3 oz of blue Dawn dish soap
  • add 1.5 oz of orange oil
  • cap up container and shake/mix
  • pour on mound slowly, starting in center then spiraling outward as your pour

video:  Nathan Riggs demonstrates fire ant killer mix

follow this link for more info at Antman’s Hill Facebook page

High Tension Wire Tree Support

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I provided my new trees some extra support by stringing fence wire between t-posts, then attaching a piece of PVC conduit between the two wires.

Tomatoes and Peppers – March 30 2018

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The local Ace hardware store was selling plants for $2 each.  They are a little smaller than what I’ve seen at the big box stores, but half the price.  I picked up 3 tomatoes and 4 peppers and planted them.

The snap peas, carrots, turnips, radish, beets, and lettuce have all sprouted now too. Continue reading →

Fruit Tree Pruning Guidelines

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  1. Make a Chimney – trim every spur or small branch that is within 6 inches of the main trunk
  2. Keep only 12 to 14 main branches.  Prune the following:
    1. Low branches that will touch the ground (less than 40″ from ground)
    2. Big branches – 50% of main trunk size or larger
    3. In the Line – growing with the line of trees or directly toward the path
  3. remaining branch trimming – trim smaller branches underneath main branch – maintain branches that look like a hand, with a fan on the end of the branch
  • Trim a small kerf on underside of branch before cutting to avoid peeling off bark when branch is cut off.
  • avoid branches growing directly above another branch in same direction

 

Beet, Carrot, Lettuce, Radish, Turnip – March 11 2018

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I planted from seed: beet, carrot, lettuce, radish, and turnip.  Scraped away all the leaf mulch first so the soil temperature will heat up with the sun.  That metal trash can us full of partially composted leaves that have been decomposing for about an year.  Good stuff!
The snap peas I planted a few weeks ago are up, but aren’t growing very fast. I don’t think any of the turnip seeds sprouted. (or if they did sprout, they were eaten by critters)