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Third Year SFG in Canada
+20
SwampTroll
audrey.jeanne.roberts
Robbomb116
Jaffa55
Banned Member
Turan
CitizenKate
Mimi2
mlpii66
ralitaco
Kelejan
BeetlesPerSqFt
Scorpio Rising
countrynaturals
AtlantaMarie
p14shooter
yolos
sanderson
CapeCoddess
trolleydriver
24 posters
Page 8 of 24
Page 8 of 24 • 1 ... 5 ... 7, 8, 9 ... 16 ... 24
Re: Third Year SFG in Canada
Sanderson had asked for photo(s) of my SFG bed that has a chicken wire cage over three rows and a trellis on the fourth row. It's not easy to see in these photos. The chicken wire cage has rusted badly. I also have plastic netting around the fourth row to keep creatures out of that row as much as possible.
The next photo shows Daikon Radish seedlings which self-seeded from last year.
I sowed some regular Red Radish in a couple of the Garlic squares.
Inside the Lettuce Winter Sowing container.
The next few photos show inside other Winter Sowing containers.
I cleaned up this bed and made it ready for planting. Still needs compost.
The next photo shows Daikon Radish seedlings which self-seeded from last year.
I sowed some regular Red Radish in a couple of the Garlic squares.
Inside the Lettuce Winter Sowing container.
The next few photos show inside other Winter Sowing containers.
I cleaned up this bed and made it ready for planting. Still needs compost.
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: Third Year SFG in Canada
Your gardens are looking good TD. I think our radishes are at the same stage. Your lawn and flowers look lovely as well.
Mimi2- Posts : 252
Join date : 2015-09-10
Age : 51
Location : Ottawa, Ontario
Re: Third Year SFG in Canada
I think a good cry is ...healing. My grief catches me at odd moments and I haven't yet had a good time to just let it have a run. It hurts, and that's ok.
BeetlesPerSqFt- Posts : 1440
Join date : 2016-04-11
Location : Centre Hall, PA Zone 5b/6a LF:5/11-FF:10/10
Re: Third Year SFG in Canada
Beetles ... you are correct.
It's a very cool blustery day here. I had a winter coat on while working outside.
I decided to see what is in the 3x3x3 compost bin that was started last Fall. In a word what I've found so far is "disappointing". Even though I was able to get this pile to heat up significantly in the Fall, it was not a long enough period and the Winter was not its friend. For the most part the material has not broken down enough. The sifted stuff is not yet compost. As well, I am still finding chunks of material that are frozen. I still have 10 to 12 inches of material to remove but I will let it warm up (melt) before taking it out.
I am not going to have sufficient home made compost for my gardens this Spring/Summer. I will have to include store bought stuff. Hopefully, with a full summer ahead I will be able to generate more home made compost for the future.
Another job I tackled today was cleaning up, adding compost and fluffing up the MM in my 2x4 Table Top. Now it is ready for planting.
I'm thinking of doing something different with my two 4x4 old style (amended soil) SFG beds this year. I may use a hybrid approach with a Back to Eden top layer of newspaper/cardboard, compost and wood chips over the existing soil. The existing soil is quite good and this should make it even better and will cut down on weeds and improve moisture retention..
Let's see what the afternoon brings.
It's a very cool blustery day here. I had a winter coat on while working outside.
I decided to see what is in the 3x3x3 compost bin that was started last Fall. In a word what I've found so far is "disappointing". Even though I was able to get this pile to heat up significantly in the Fall, it was not a long enough period and the Winter was not its friend. For the most part the material has not broken down enough. The sifted stuff is not yet compost. As well, I am still finding chunks of material that are frozen. I still have 10 to 12 inches of material to remove but I will let it warm up (melt) before taking it out.
I am not going to have sufficient home made compost for my gardens this Spring/Summer. I will have to include store bought stuff. Hopefully, with a full summer ahead I will be able to generate more home made compost for the future.
Another job I tackled today was cleaning up, adding compost and fluffing up the MM in my 2x4 Table Top. Now it is ready for planting.
I'm thinking of doing something different with my two 4x4 old style (amended soil) SFG beds this year. I may use a hybrid approach with a Back to Eden top layer of newspaper/cardboard, compost and wood chips over the existing soil. The existing soil is quite good and this should make it even better and will cut down on weeds and improve moisture retention..
Let's see what the afternoon brings.
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: Third Year SFG in Canada
Finished cleaning out and sifting the contents of the 3x3x3 compost bin. The leftovers are on a tarp with another tarp on top. So now I have two piles of material sitting on tarps. Need decide what has to be done to restart the compost bins using the leftovers as a starting material but adding in other stuff. I think I'm going to need some green material (e.g., manure, coffee grounds, blood meal) to get it really cooking.
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: Third Year SFG in Canada
TD, It sounds like we have a similar situation with out composts. Oh, yes, thank you for the photos. The 3x3x3 only reached 140*F in the center once, and after I turned that, it fizzled. Then the rains started and it was never turned again. The 28"x28" wire cage with weed fabric for flower bed compost looked partially composted but not acceptable because of seeds/weeds from the lawn. I call it the junk pile.
April 29 I removed everything and rebuilt with the contents of both composts with layers of mowed alfalfa hay (a green 16:1) to make the cage full, and sprinkled blood meal to heat the pile. Well, this is day 6, and it has shrunk and reached 125*F, and is overdue for a turn. Feeling a little dizzy (heat?) so will wait until hubby is back from LV to turn in this "heat wave".
April 29 I removed everything and rebuilt with the contents of both composts with layers of mowed alfalfa hay (a green 16:1) to make the cage full, and sprinkled blood meal to heat the pile. Well, this is day 6, and it has shrunk and reached 125*F, and is overdue for a turn. Feeling a little dizzy (heat?) so will wait until hubby is back from LV to turn in this "heat wave".
Re: Third Year SFG in Canada
Take it easy sanderson.
So far today I have
1. Taken some "baby" everbearing strawberries from the mother plants and used them to fill in some empty squares in the 4x4x4 SFG strawberry bed. I have an agreement with Mrs TD that if the strawberries do not produce well this year then next year this bed will become a regular veggie bed.
2. Transplanted more Leeks in the SFG beds using a closer spacing than the 4 per square I used previously. I will harvest some as they grow so as to end up with 4 per square to reach full maturity.
3. Transplanted Bunching Onions seedlings that were started indoors. This is one square with about 20 onions.
4. Planted two squares of Red Onions from sets.
5. Added some Multiplier Onion sets to a square that already had a few Multiplier Onions growing in it. If I recall correctly the existing onions came up from onions I planted in that square last Fall.
6. Sowed Tom Thumb Pea seeds in a square in the 2x4 Table Top. These are low growing peas that are self-supporting.
7. Refilled the SoilSaver plastic compost bin with leftovers from the earlier screening plus stuff from the bottom of our friends' chicken coop, blood meal, coffee grounds and kitchen scraps. The problem here is that since I am using leftover material from last year plus new "greens" material I have no idea what is the real ratio of browns to greens. Let's see if it heats up at all.
8. Got the outside water turned on and the hoses connected.
9. Helped Mrs TD take out the summer stuff (e.g., garden chairs, table, etc.) from the shed. Mrs TD was busy cleaning up the garage and then the shed and reorganizing things (so that I cannot find anything ).
10. Spent some time with a neighbour who has a regular row veggie garden. He was out most of one afternoon on the weekend rototilling and adding in amendments to the soil. He got a bad sunburn on his back while doing that. He rents and the landlord agreed today to take down a big, ugly pine tree on his front lawn and which actually has long branches that cover part of my lawn. We "jokingly?" discussed replacing the tree with a small orchard of apple trees on both sides of the border of the properties.
11. Discussed with Mrs TD how we can hide a corner of our side yard where we keep our garbage and recycling bins. Agreement was reached to put in another SFG bed (I'm thinking a 2x6) with a trellis on which we can grow vining veggie crops (e.g., cucamelons) or flowering vines. Need something that grows fast.
I still need to put down grass seed on the bare spots on the front lawn. I've also got ideas for a couple more veggie beds but not sure they will happen this year.
So far today I have
1. Taken some "baby" everbearing strawberries from the mother plants and used them to fill in some empty squares in the 4x4x4 SFG strawberry bed. I have an agreement with Mrs TD that if the strawberries do not produce well this year then next year this bed will become a regular veggie bed.
2. Transplanted more Leeks in the SFG beds using a closer spacing than the 4 per square I used previously. I will harvest some as they grow so as to end up with 4 per square to reach full maturity.
3. Transplanted Bunching Onions seedlings that were started indoors. This is one square with about 20 onions.
4. Planted two squares of Red Onions from sets.
5. Added some Multiplier Onion sets to a square that already had a few Multiplier Onions growing in it. If I recall correctly the existing onions came up from onions I planted in that square last Fall.
6. Sowed Tom Thumb Pea seeds in a square in the 2x4 Table Top. These are low growing peas that are self-supporting.
7. Refilled the SoilSaver plastic compost bin with leftovers from the earlier screening plus stuff from the bottom of our friends' chicken coop, blood meal, coffee grounds and kitchen scraps. The problem here is that since I am using leftover material from last year plus new "greens" material I have no idea what is the real ratio of browns to greens. Let's see if it heats up at all.
8. Got the outside water turned on and the hoses connected.
9. Helped Mrs TD take out the summer stuff (e.g., garden chairs, table, etc.) from the shed. Mrs TD was busy cleaning up the garage and then the shed and reorganizing things (so that I cannot find anything ).
10. Spent some time with a neighbour who has a regular row veggie garden. He was out most of one afternoon on the weekend rototilling and adding in amendments to the soil. He got a bad sunburn on his back while doing that. He rents and the landlord agreed today to take down a big, ugly pine tree on his front lawn and which actually has long branches that cover part of my lawn. We "jokingly?" discussed replacing the tree with a small orchard of apple trees on both sides of the border of the properties.
11. Discussed with Mrs TD how we can hide a corner of our side yard where we keep our garbage and recycling bins. Agreement was reached to put in another SFG bed (I'm thinking a 2x6) with a trellis on which we can grow vining veggie crops (e.g., cucamelons) or flowering vines. Need something that grows fast.
I still need to put down grass seed on the bare spots on the front lawn. I've also got ideas for a couple more veggie beds but not sure they will happen this year.
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: Third Year SFG in Canada
Geez...I need a nap now...
CapeCoddess- Posts : 6824
Join date : 2012-05-20
Age : 68
Location : elbow of the Cape, MA, Zone 6b/7a
Re: Third Year SFG in Canada
My tomato seedlings are doing quite well even though I started late.
These are Zinnias.
These are Zinnias.
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: Third Year SFG in Canada
+1CapeCoddess wrote:Geez...I need a nap now...
yolos- Posts : 4152
Join date : 2011-11-20
Age : 74
Location : Brooks, Ga Zone 7B/8A
Re: Third Year SFG in Canada
Brandywine, Roma and Sweet Million tomato seedlings under the grow lights.
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: Third Year SFG in Canada
We are finally getting a nice day to work outside. Mrs TD has been helping me with a few things like cleaning up areas where I have stored coffee grounds, wood chips, etc.
I have two 4x4 beds which do not have Mel's Mix. I consider them to be Old Style SFG (OSSFG) since they contain amended soil. I decided to clean them up and build the sides higher with another layer of bricks. On one of then there is one side that has wood for containment. I have now taken a type of BTE (sacreligious I know, sorry about that) approach with these beds to hopefully enrich the soil.
In one bed I put down layers of newspaper and in the other layers of cardboard. The newpaper is actually paper we used for packing material when we moved some things from my mother's house to ours. On top of that first layer I added a layer of composted sheep manure which I had available. On top of that I put a layer of semi-composted material that I screened out of my compost bins. And finally I added a layer of wood chips.
Here is the pile of wood chips that has overwintered.
I found this growing in the wood chips which I hope is a good sign.
OSSFG Bed #1 ready for the newspaper layer.
Newspaper going on.
Newspaper done and ready for compost.
A layer of composted sheep manure.
A layer of home made semi-composted material.
Topped off with a layer of wood chips. All layers were wet down during the process.
OSSFG Bed #2 ready for cardboard.
Cardboard in place and soaked with water.
Composted sheep manure in place.
Final product after adding a layer of semi-composted material and a layer of wood chips.
Let's see what happens. For years I've grown tomatoes on the back row of these beds. I'm wondering if I should plant something else this year and find a new spot for the tomatoes.
I have two 4x4 beds which do not have Mel's Mix. I consider them to be Old Style SFG (OSSFG) since they contain amended soil. I decided to clean them up and build the sides higher with another layer of bricks. On one of then there is one side that has wood for containment. I have now taken a type of BTE (sacreligious I know, sorry about that) approach with these beds to hopefully enrich the soil.
In one bed I put down layers of newspaper and in the other layers of cardboard. The newpaper is actually paper we used for packing material when we moved some things from my mother's house to ours. On top of that first layer I added a layer of composted sheep manure which I had available. On top of that I put a layer of semi-composted material that I screened out of my compost bins. And finally I added a layer of wood chips.
Here is the pile of wood chips that has overwintered.
I found this growing in the wood chips which I hope is a good sign.
OSSFG Bed #1 ready for the newspaper layer.
Newspaper going on.
Newspaper done and ready for compost.
A layer of composted sheep manure.
A layer of home made semi-composted material.
Topped off with a layer of wood chips. All layers were wet down during the process.
OSSFG Bed #2 ready for cardboard.
Cardboard in place and soaked with water.
Composted sheep manure in place.
Final product after adding a layer of semi-composted material and a layer of wood chips.
Let's see what happens. For years I've grown tomatoes on the back row of these beds. I'm wondering if I should plant something else this year and find a new spot for the tomatoes.
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: Third Year SFG in Canada
Nice work! I love taking from various ideas to make what works best for you. I am curious about why the cardboard layer? Was there a weed infestation you are trying to get ahead or just have lots of cardboard and this is a good way to use it up?
Here is to some sunshine!
Here is to some sunshine!
Turan- Posts : 2616
Join date : 2012-03-29
Location : Gallatin Valley, Montana, Intermountain zone 4
Re: Third Year SFG in Canada
There are some weeds that come up each year so I am hoping to keep that in check. I had cardboard on hand and I know the worms like it. When I plant the bed I will probably cut through the cardboard and plant in the soil below the cardboard. Everything I do is an experiment with the exception of when I follow the proven ANSFG to the T.Turan wrote:Nice work! I love taking from various ideas to make what works best for you. I am curious about why the cardboard layer? Was there a weed infestation you are trying to get ahead or just have lots of cardboard and this is a good way to use it up?
Here is to some sunshine!
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: Third Year SFG in Canada
Another job completed. I assembled our Outsunny Walk-in Greenhouse. One good puff of wind and it will most likely fly over the hedge into the neighbours veggie garden.
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: Third Year SFG in Canada
hehe! Are you going to anchor it? How?
CapeCoddess- Posts : 6824
Join date : 2012-05-20
Age : 68
Location : elbow of the Cape, MA, Zone 6b/7a
Re: Third Year SFG in Canada
I'm going to pile some bricks on the bottom inside. It has guy ropes which I attached to bricks on the outside.CapeCoddess wrote:hehe! Are you going to anchor it? How?
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: Third Year SFG in Canada
TD, great BTEOSSFG. The sheep manure looks great. An idea for anchoring the nice greenhouse. Run a loose lattice work of wire or twine between the 4 bottom rails. Line with bricks. Or set four filled 5-gallon buckets in the four corners on top of the wires.
Re: Third Year SFG in Canada
Thanks for that sanderson.sanderson wrote:TD, great BTEOSSFG. The sheep manure looks great. An idea for anchoring the nice greenhouse. Run a loose lattice work of wire or twine between the 4 bottom rails. Line with bricks. Or set four filled 5-gallon buckets in the four corners on top of the wires.
I woke up this morning thinking I made a mistake by putting down cardboard in one of the OSSFG beds. My concern is that it will act as an insulator and keep the soil underneath it too cool especially for heat loving plants. Now I'm wondering if I should do it over without the cardboard. Rats ... I hate when my mind works this way.
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: Third Year SFG in Canada
It's time for the Winter Sowing Reveal. Drum roll please.
First up is the Lettuce sown on March 6.
Kale sown on March 6.
Broccoli sown February 4. Only one sprouted.
Kohlrabi sown April 13.
Beet sown April 13.
Swiss Chard sown April 13.
The following is a square of Daikon Radish volunteers. There were many more but I thinned them out.
First up is the Lettuce sown on March 6.
Kale sown on March 6.
Broccoli sown February 4. Only one sprouted.
Kohlrabi sown April 13.
Beet sown April 13.
Swiss Chard sown April 13.
The following is a square of Daikon Radish volunteers. There were many more but I thinned them out.
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Turan- Posts : 2616
Join date : 2012-03-29
Location : Gallatin Valley, Montana, Intermountain zone 4
Re: Third Year SFG in Canada
Those winter grown seedlings are amazing. They look SO healthy and I like how they aren't leggy like the ones I grow in the window.
I never had daikon make volunteers. Guess I've never let the winter ones go to seed. That's pretty awesome. I could throw some seeds down in winter and maybe they will arise and go forth in spring.
I never had daikon make volunteers. Guess I've never let the winter ones go to seed. That's pretty awesome. I could throw some seeds down in winter and maybe they will arise and go forth in spring.
CapeCoddess- Posts : 6824
Join date : 2012-05-20
Age : 68
Location : elbow of the Cape, MA, Zone 6b/7a
Re: Third Year SFG in Canada
I'm very please with the way the winter sowing turned out. The advantages areCapeCoddess wrote:Those winter grown seedlings are amazing. They look SO healthy and I like how they aren't leggy like the ones I grow in the window. ...
1. It does not take up space under the grow lights.
2. The seedlings are robust.
3. The plants do not need to be hardened off.
I will definitely do this again. For the most part the things I sowed in February did not germinate but everything I started in March and April has done very well. The failure of the February crop is partly due to the fact that I sowed the wrong things.
One thing that has become painfully obvious is that I need many more SFG squares. Some of the Winter Sowing seedlings will be shared with my grandkids for their new 3x3 SFG beds and if there are more left over then with our neighbours for their (yeuk) row garden.
trolleydriver
Forum Moderator- Posts : 5395
Join date : 2015-05-04
Age : 76
Location : Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: Third Year SFG in Canada
TD, How will you get the seedlings out? Do you have to sacrifice the containers?
Regarding the cardboard, once it is wet it will not be an insulator, so go back to sleep.
Regarding the cardboard, once it is wet it will not be an insulator, so go back to sleep.
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