Re: 2016 - Our First SFG!

**trolleydriver** 5/13/2016, 2:01 pm

sanderson wrote:

PS folks, I'm already on night patrol for snails and slugs.

sanderson ... could you post a photo of yourself in your "snail and slug" extermination gear? Thanks.

Razz

**Kelejan** 5/13/2016, 2:04 pm

trolleydriver wrote:
sanderson wrote:

PS folks, I'm already on night patrol for snails and slugs.

sanderson ... could you post a photo of yourself in your "snail and slug" extermination gear? Thanks.

This will be fun when sanderson talks about what she is wearing when showering after turning the compost. Very Happy

**sanderson** 5/13/2016, 4:37 pm

What is the saying? When the hot springs freeze over! Razz

**Scorpio Rising** 5/13/2016, 8:20 pm

Ha! No need to see the actual hazmat suit, our mental visual is just as good or better, sanderson!

Official welcome Leone! I am looking forward to what you have planned! 2016 - Our First SFG! - Page 2 3170584802

2016 - Our First SFG! - Page 2 3170584802

Leone 8/3/2016, 11:37 am

I've been so busy enjoying the garden that I haven't posted recently. Here are some updates:

June - We put up an electric fence to keep the rabbits out...
We enjoyed some nice broccoli, radishes, lettuce and other things.

2016 - Our First SFG! - Page 2 6_1_2010

July - We added a dripworks irrigation system and enjoyed seeing things growing on the trellis!
Getting some cucumbers, tomatoes, Minnesota Midget melons. Delicious!

2016 - Our First SFG! - Page 2 7_1_2010

August - Starting to plant for a fall garden. Enjoying some nice Swiss chard, endive, parsley, more cucumbers, melons, tomatoes etc..... Really loving the variety of food that can come from this type of garden!

2016 - Our First SFG! - Page 2 8_1_2010

**trolleydriver** 8/3/2016, 11:58 am

Leone ... your garden is excellent! Very neat, tidy and productive. Well done.

2016 - Our First SFG! - Page 2 Audience-clapping-smiley-emoticon

**sanderson** 8/3/2016, 1:35 pm

Very nice! 2016 - Our First SFG! - Page 2 3170584802

**Kelejan** 8/3/2016, 2:52 pm

Fabulous, Leone. okay

**AtlantaMarie** 8/3/2016, 4:01 pm

Beautiful!

CapeCoddess 8/3/2016, 5:55 pm

So nice, Leone! When you use the drip irrigation does it have to drip on the whole box even if only part of it is planted? Or can you block up the sections in the areas that are not being used at the moment?

TD, look at all those little clapping people! So funny, and so clever.
CC

**Scorpio Rising** 8/3/2016, 6:22 pm

Awesome!

Question, how did you know when your Minnesota Midget was ripe? I am growing it for the first time. A recent pic is in my avatar, or on the August Avatar thread.

Leone 8/3/2016, 9:03 pm

CapeCoddess wrote:When you use the drip irrigation does it have to drip on the whole box even if only part of it is planted? Or can you block up the sections in the areas that are not being used at the moment?

For this year it is watering the whole thing. Next year, though, we hope to do something different. Maybe there are some little valves that can shut off a line if we want to. We haven't really checked into that at this point. It would be a big savings on water.

Leone 8/3/2016, 9:05 pm

CapeCoddess wrote:
TD, look at all those little clapping people! So funny, and so clever.
CC

I agree! That is really neat!

Leone 8/3/2016, 9:20 pm

Scorpio Rising wrote:How did you know when your Minnesota Midget was ripe? I am growing it for the first time. A recent pic is in my avatar, or on the August Avatar thread.

This is the first time we have grown any melons. What I read on the internet is that Minnesota Midgets will "slip". That means that when they are ready they will just come off really easily. Just put your hand under it and give it a gentle wiggle. If it comes off, it's ready! They are so delicious! I hope you enjoy yours!
Here is a picture of one of ours. (Kinda blurry though)
2016 - Our First SFG! - Page 2 P_201610

We are growing another variety of melon too. It is a Charentais French Pink Melon. It is like the Minnesota Midgets, small, darker flesh and sooo sweet! It doesn't "slip" though.
2016 - Our First SFG! - Page 2 Charen10

What a blessing it is to be able to grow fruit! cheers

Ginger Blue 8/3/2016, 9:54 pm

Wow, gorgeous!!! I'm totally jealous....

okay

**sanderson** 8/4/2016, 1:45 pm

Leone, There are little 1/4" valves that you install in-line. Home Depot, Lowes, Dripwork.com, etc. That way you can shut off what you don't want to water. I haven't looked but I'm sure there are 1/2" in-line valves, also.

yolos 8/4/2016, 1:48 pm

sanderson wrote:Leone, There are little 1/4" valves that you install in-line. Home Depot, Lowes, Dripwork.com, etc. That way you can shut off what you don't want to water. I haven't looked but I'm sure there are 1/2" in-line valves, also.

Yes there are 1/2" in-line valves.

Leone 8/15/2016, 7:38 pm

So... I've been thinking about the drip system shutoffs. It seems that it would be difficult to do since some squares in a row get harvested and can't be replanted until fall, while other squares are still growing.

I don't know how that can work.

Do any of you use shutoffs on your drip systems?

**sanderson** 8/15/2016, 8:39 pm

Keeping Mel's Mix moist is important as it is difficult to rehydrate without watering and stirring, watering and stirring. Harvest the crop, replenish with more compost and let it grow lots of new microorganisms. Or, you can install shutoff valves at the beginning of each row with the option of shutting that one off. I wouldn't do it here with 100*F summers because the dry squares will pull moisture from the moist planted squares. It would however, be nice for garlic squares near harvest time. But mine get planted in different areas each time. tongue

**donnainzone5** 8/15/2016, 10:44 pm

My method may be incorrect and/or inadequate, but I merely move the drip irrigation tubes to adjacent locations that actually require water.

Leone 8/16/2016, 7:04 am

We have a "Worm Cafe" farm and 4000 little red worms coming tomorrow! A new adventure for sure!

Leone 8/19/2016, 1:29 pm

Our worms have arrived! weeee

Here is their new home.

2016 - Our First SFG! - Page 2 Worms_10

4000 (or so) happy compost makers!!!!

2016 - Our First SFG! - Page 2 Worms_11

**sanderson** 8/19/2016, 2:09 pm

Congratulations! (only another gardener would understand)

Leone 8/19/2016, 2:14 pm

sanderson wrote:Congratulations! (only another gardener would understand)

Yes, I believe you are right. I am so happy to be able to share my enthusiasm with folks that truly understand.

Leone 11/23/2016, 2:51 pm

I just went out to check on the garden after the freeze we had the other night and was delighted to find some Arugula, Dill and Boc Choy to add to a salad tonight.

This year we discovered some plants that we REALLY like:
     Arugula - a nice spicy but tender green. We don't want to be without it next year!
     German Johnson tomatoes - They got huge! And they have such a nice flavor.
     Charentias French Melons - Oh! So sweet!

Do you have some extra special favorites that are Must-Haves in your gardens?

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2016 - Our First SFG!