Second Year SFG in Canada

Scorpio Rising wrote:TD, did you plant melons last year?  I have never grown them!  I have 3 varieties, all adapted to the north.  All from Bakers.  Blacktail Mountain watermelon, Sakatas Sweet musk, and Minnesota Midget.  Super excited....

Yes I grew Honeydew Melon. They took forever to produce just a few fruit but I will try them again this year.

Presenting my very first Table Top. This is a 2x4 based on sanderson's proven design. I used regular framing lumber for the box, 3/4 inch exterior plywood for the bottom, and pressure treated lumber for the legs. I still have a few things to do to it but it's almost there.

 Have you decided what's going into it yet?

countrynaturals wrote: Have you decided what's going into it yet?

I will be planting mostly herbs in this box and maybe something for my morning green smoothies and one or two flowering plants.

Nice! Love it !

trolleydriver wrote:Presenting my very first Table Top. This is a 2x4 based on sanderson's proven design. I used regular framing lumber for the box, 3/4 inch exterior plywood for the bottom, and pressure treated lumber for the legs. I still have a few things to do to it but it's almost there.

Ooooo, I likey! My day will come.

Now I have to decide where to locate this TT.  The best place in terms of sun and other conditions would be on the "sidewalk paver patio" next to the existing SFG boxes. But that defeats the main purpose which is to have it close to the back/side door of the house to be handy for grabbing herbs, etc. without having to make the trip across the lawn to the far corner of the backyard. The problem is that there is not as much sun in the back/side door location and it can be a wind tunnel at times. I need to decide soon because once the MM is in the box and it is watered down, this beast will not be movable, at least not by me.  Decisions, decisions ... the life of a retired SFGer is not straightforward.

trolleydriver wrote:Now I have to decide where to locate this TT.  The best place in terms of sun and other conditions would be on the "sidewalk paver patio" next to the existing SFG boxes. But that defeats the main purpose which is to have it close to the back/side door of the house to be handy for grabbing herbs, etc. without having to make the trip across the lawn to the far corner of the backyard. The problem is that there is not as much sun in the back/side door location and it can be a wind tunnel at times. I need to decide soon because once the MM is in the box and it is watered down, this beast will not be movable, at least not by me.  Decisions, decisions ... the life of a retired SFGer is not straightforward.

Your TT looks very nice. I'm a little envious, but only a little because I don't have anywhere good to put it, either...    Take a look at the sun requirements for the herbs you want to grow. My recollection is that there a number of herbs either like or tolerate part shade. Several of my herbs are in the oldest and shadiest section of my garden. The thyme, oregano, parsley, and salad burnet seem quite happy there. (Sage and rosemary are in the front landscape bed and basil goes between the tomatoes so I can't speak to the shade tolerance of those.)

In consultation with Mrs TD we decided to locate the Table Top next to the BBQ. 

It has been very hot here today (for Ottawa at this time of the year).  Environment Canada said it was 89 F with a humidex reading of 100 F.  By the time I mixed the MM, filled the box (about 7 to 8 inches) and built the grid, I was exhausted. So here it is reay for planting.




Now to decide what goes into each square. 

Here it is loaded up with herb transplants and some seed (mixed spicy leaves and nasturtiums). 

trolleydriver wrote:Here it is loaded up with herb transplants and some seed (mixed spicy leaves and nasturtiums). 

Hooray - looks fantastic TD.  Congrats.

Sweeeeeeet!

First, I want to thank sanderson who inspired me to create my first Table Top. Last year she suggested that I have a TT for herbs, etc. located near the house. This year she graciously sent me photos via email of how her TTs are made by her DH.  With the encouragement and information I was able to complete my TT.

Second, today I put up another trellis. Last year I made a 5 foot high by 4 foot wide trellis from two 10 foot pieces of EMT conduit.  That left me with a 6 foot length of pipe that was not being used. I went out and bought another 10 foot length from which I cut a 4 foot and a 6 foot lengths. My new trellis is a 6' x 4'. I will be using it for cherry tomatoes and honeydew melons.

Planted today (all transplants):

- In the SFG ... Sweet 100 Tomatoes

- In the regular garden ... Tomatillo (Green); Ground Cherry (Cossack Pineapple); and Acorn Squash (Reba)

My trellises are all 6s and 5s because everytime I go out for a trellis I get the fixings for one of each.

CC

I hope Mrs. TD likes it. Does she still want it painted? Or maybe a sealant now? I think the dark treated legs look sharp against the plain pine/fir. As far as scraps of tubing and even extra trellis netting - well, I'm quite the hoarder on left overs from the garden. Never know when they will be needed.

sanderson wrote:I hope Mrs. TD likes it.  Does she still want it painted?  Or maybe a sealant now?  I think the dark treated legs look sharp against the plain pine/fir.  As far as scraps of tubing and even extra trellis netting - well, I'm quite the hoarder on left overs from the garden.  Never know when they will be needed.

From what I have been able to observe it looks like Mrs TD is not quite sure what to make of it. I'm was just going to let it weather naturally but I probably should clear seal it to help with longevity. I would also like to put a 1x4 shelf around the top.

What you could go ahead and do is sand off the print while it is still virgin white. An oil-based clear sealant will help with the color of the woods; it will not affect longevity of the pine wood because the sealant will be on the outside. The rotting will slowly take place inside but, being exposed to air on the outside, it kind of dries out, and should extend its life. The plywood on the bottom of my larger TT, is dry to the touch except right at the holes (barely), but I know it is wet on the inside.

Here is a series of photos of the state of affairs as of May 31, 2016.

This first photo is the Swiss Chard. Sanderson said on another thread that her Chard was coming to an end. Mine is only just beginning.



Green Bunching Onions.



Radishes. When these were very small I originally thought they were Beets but someone pointed out (rightly so) that they did not look like Beets. I had taken seeds from the wrong packet.



Turnip



Kohlrabi.



Pak Choi. Something is feasting on the leaves.



Chives are in flower.



Leeks remaining small.



Garlic looking good.



Spinach. Some seeds did not germinate.



Peas ... a bit pathetic.



Looking through the 5 foot trellis.



Looking through the 6 foot trellis.



One of the new boxes.



Strawberry plants growing very slowly in the other new box.



The new Table Top.



Full frontal view.



NOT SFG:

A fake SFG box with garden soil and very temporary grid. Tomatoes and Peppers have been planted.



These barely visible green strands are Pink Pampas Grass that was transplanted from seedlings started indoors.



Inside the protective cage are sunflowers that were transplanted from seedlings started indoors. They are doing very well.



Ground cherry and Tomatillo.

Lookin' good, TD! I for one am excited about this season! I have turnips in for the first time ever, too. What variety did you plant?

Scorpio Rising wrote:Lookin' good, TD!  I for one am excited about this season!  I have turnips in for the first time ever, too.  What variety did you plant?  

SR ... the packet says they are Swede Turnip Marian.

trolleydriver wrote:

Scorpio Rising wrote:Lookin' good, TD!  I for one am excited about this season!  I have turnips in for the first time ever, too.  What variety did you plant?  

SR ... the packet says they are Swede Turnip Marian.

Interesting! Let me know how they do! I like turnips.

TD, It wasn't long ago you had snow receding! Nice beds. I especially like your crop of Forcus blanco. I wouldn't plant them so deep if you want to really deter pests.