Fall Garden - End of Solarization

dstack 8/13/2016, 10:12 pm

I started my fall garden seedlings in my shower window in July, and this weekend most of them will get planted under screens outside.

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Fall Garden - End of Solarization 13920039_10208696450440237_837009308252573658_o

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And after 11 weeks of solarizing, the first of three 4'x8' beds is ready for the seedlings.
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Fall Garden - End of Solarization 13886894_10208696451280258_2507622524590074761_n

And I built new wood boxes replacing the rotting old boxes. They only lasted just less than 3 years. Next time I may try using composite. First I looked into using corrugated metal, but it would heat up too much here in S. Florida, and hold in too much heat. Any thoughts on composite?

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Fall Garden - End of Solarization 13925414_10208696451800271_3375622648864654271_n

**sfg4uKim** 8/14/2016, 2:20 pm

Lookin' good.

CapeCoddess 8/14/2016, 2:28 pm

Looks great, Dstack! Why don't you plant directly inside those bricks instead of using wood? Some people do that. Also, what did you use to replace the nutrients after solarizing?

CC

dstack 8/14/2016, 3:04 pm

CapeCoddess wrote:Looks great, Dstack! Why don't you plant directly inside those bricks instead of using wood? Some people do that. Also, what did you use to replace the nutrients after solarizing?

CC

I know some cinder block has a toxic element, and rather than deal with that I'd rather just use the cinders for elevation. Since it's on the north side of the house, it gets more direct sun in fall and winter being elevated.

Solarizing breaks down my soil into soluble nutrients, but I did add mushroom and manure composts as well as my own. In addition, I used devolved Epsom salts and fish emulsion. I ordered Down To Earth's Marine Cuisine, but it may be another week or two before it comes in.

**sanderson** 8/14/2016, 6:58 pm

Looks good, Dstack.

You got me to thinking about cinder blocks. I would use them as the box bed frame if it was on the ground. One could always line the inside with cheap (thinnest) cedar fencing planks, then place the weed fabric down and up the sides. How I wish I had enough room to even dream about it.

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