Only 3 plants sprouted from the second seeding. I’m really bad at this apparently!
update 9/29/2018:
A few plants sprouted, but were quickly eaten by either rabbits or worms. I transplanted 6 broccoli and 6 brussels sprouts from Walmart today.
Trying to get seeds to sprout in the August heat can be difficult. The ground drys out faster because the protective mulch has to be moved out of the way exposing bare soil, and the sun is so oppressive that many plants won’t survive a day of full sun when they have just popped out of the ground. A way to help is to provide shade. If you are using wood-framed raised beds, this is pretty easy to do.
Use 3 pieces of 1/2″ PVC electrical conduit. PVC water pipe is also usable, but the electrical conduit has the benefit of UV protection, so it should last a good bit longer. Attach the ends of each pipe to an edge of your raised bed frame. I just drilled holes in the pipe and used exterior screws. Holes can also be drilled in a 2×4 to provide a hole for the pipe to sit in. Lay a fabric such as burlap, greenhouse shade cloth, or window screen over the pipes and secure with zip ties, rope, or specially made snap clamps.
This hoop structure provides a way to provide shade in the summer and can also be used along with clear plastic to create a greenhouse in the winter.
I pulled up a sick looking pepper plant and seeded some snow peas in one bed. In the bed with okra, I cut back some of the low leaves and put in another row of snow peas and some carrots. I notice the comfrey that is under the okra (shaded mostly) is growing much better than the comfrey that has full sun. I’m hoping the snow peas and carrot will benefit in the same way. I’m a little concerned that none of the seeds (broccoli, brussels sprouts, and spinach have sprouted yet. It may have just been too hot lately. If I don’t see anything by the end of the week, I’ll reseed it all.
I planted from seed 8 broccoli, 4 brussels sprouts, and 16 spinach today.
UPDATE 8/29/2018: none of these seeds sprouted. It was either too hot, or I let it get too dry. I re-seeded today, and will try to keep the bed covered from the sun for most of the day.
I ordered 12 slips and 3 crowns of Russian Comfrey – Bocking 14 from Marsh Creek Farmstead. They arrived today so I put them in the ground. I placed the crowns in my raised beds, and the slips in between my new fruit trees. The bocking 14 variety doesn’t go to seed so it doesn’t spread and take over like the normal variety does. This plant is known as a mineral miner: the roots go very deep in the soil and the leaves are packed with lots of nutrients. It is a good plant to use for composting material, as those valuable nutrients will be in the compost.
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.
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
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.
Start with a little less than 1 gallon of water in a 1 gallon container with a screw cap
video: Nathan Riggs demonstrates fire ant killer mix
follow this link for more info at Antman’s Hill Facebook page
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.
