Mid Atlantic - Maryland

Anyone in here from the Baltimore, Maryland area? I am in the Eastern Baltimore County area. Would love to hear from anyone in this region to share data and such. Thanks!

I'm in Elkridge (Eastern Howard County). Welcome.

Mike.
Was just wondering how your plants are doing with all this heat. Mine have been ok with the exception of the cucumbers. May have to revisit the soil issue and mulch next year. May be time to reinvigorate the soil and use mulch. B ut, onceit gets above 90, I think it taps the strength out of the plants.

During the last couple of years, I was able to plant spring vegetables (peas, lettuce, etc), and harvest them before planting my summer vegetables. But this spring was too hot, and they didn't turn out well. This summer has been pretty brutal too, but luckily my garden has only summer vegetables (tomatoes, bush beans, corn, basil, cantalopes). Last summer, I noticed that some plants would be wilted by the time I came home from work, so this year I've been experimenting with shade cloth (50%). My garden is enclosed in a chicken wire hoop, so I draped a piece of shade cloth over it. I even draped some over my trellises, and it seems to work well. I still water in the morning and evening, but the plants don't wilt. It seems that we get plenty of sunshine here, so shade cloth helps.

It looks really nice Mike. Mine is in a state of transition right now so I wouldn't take a picture. I was able to get a bunch of pavers from my brother in law and they are just sitting there until it cools down. My wife has me busy with the house so all-in-all, I haven't really given the garden any TLC. Probably the worst garden I have had in a long time. But next year, it will be a different story. I have three composters that are working loads of pre-compost so I know I will be ready next spring. I may "borrow" some of your techniques as I also had a less than spectacular Spring crop of Broccoli and Cabbage. I am going to try for a fall harvest just to give that a try.

We live in Clarksburg, MD, which is about 1/2 way between DC and Frederick, East of 270 (not to be confused with Clarksville which is further NE).

I am a first year SFG'er. Cukes, zukes, tomatoes, peppers, herbs, etc. Some luck, some bad luck. Still a lot of fun and frustration.

Welcome to the forum.

Jeff

I'm just a bit north of y'all in Wilmington, DE and our garden has been depressing, to say the least. We got a little lettuce in the spring and a few broccoli heads, but this summer has been very disappointing.

None of my corn made it past 2 inches long & 1/2 in diameter (even with hand pollinating), only a dozen beans harvested so far (the vines look great, just very little veggie to harvest), no peppers on my plants, less than 10 strawberries (everbearing variety) so far and all have been mutant looking and even my tomatos all have split their skins so far. I could have sworn I'd been told by multiple people that you can't over-water mel's mix, but my tomatos would argue that point.

The only successful thing in the garden is the square of Sunflowers -- now those have been impressive.

Nice sunflowers. I've had luck this year with scallions, which started slow but then took off, jalapenos, gypsy peppers, and cubanelle peppers. My bell peppers are starting to show fruit, but who knows if they will be good or not. My tomatoes are weak, but we've had some minimal luck with them. Some luck with herbs, but I think the heat is really getting to them. Cilantro and basil grow like wild fire.

Watermelon plants looking strong, but no fruit yet. Long time to ripen.

Flowers looking good. Daffodils, petunias, and hydrangea.

Hey everyone! Well, at least I know my results aren't an issue just I am having. It has been a brutal year this year. Seems the garden needs a lot of attention and for the first time I remember, I'm not giving it to it. Lots of honey-do major projects going on so, sadly, the garden is suffering.
One tip I would give you is to compost if you aren't. It's no where near as hard as you can imagine and the rewards for most years is very worth it. I have three composters and 4 ea. 55 gallon rain barrels. The composters are active and I have a huge amount that will be ready next year when I can devote more time to the gardens. If you want to start composting, I would be more than glad to give you the benefit of my many years of experience of doing it. It is very rewarding.
Additionally, if you have any questions about the SQ. Ft system, I will help there too. I have doing this for over 15-20 years as I started when Mel had the TV show. Lots of tricks are out there. Just ask and I will try to help. Take care!

I'll bite on the composting issue. I've been eyeballing composters for awhile, but they tend to be very expensive (but with good reviews), or less expensive (with poor to moderate reviews). I don't want to spend a lot of $$$, and I don't want a homemade one like Mel suggests.

Montgomery County, MD, actually gives away FREE composters to residents and I may try my luck with that since the cost is so good.

Have any suggestions on good composters?

I use a Green Machine unit that Baltimore County sells every Spring for $25.00. Very good unit. That may be the same thing Mont. County offers as these companies generally sell to all the counties. It's two pieces that latch together. They come with a set of earth screws to anchor into the ground and a removable top that can be used for venting. The bottom piece has a pull up door that you can access the compost. Very easy to use and sufficient for backyard application. They are cylindrical with venting in the sides. I have one that has sat out for at least 5 years and I bought two others two years ago. So far, the old one has held up much better than I imagined.
Remember that you are not looking to produce 100's of pounds of this stuff. The bigger units require a lot of product to get going. I wouldn't imagine the unit you are looking at is huge. You need enough to add a new layer of compost in the spring of about an inch or two and then more as you replant the various squares.
If you get one, sometimes they also offer compost turners. Don't get these as they are cheap. You are better served in the long run by buying one from Gardeners Supply. They have some really sturdy ones at a pretty good price.
It is just a matter of getting the unit and finding a place for it. Then you collect the stuff like leaves - even from your neighbors - in the fall. You have plenty of time still left. Let me know if you get one and we can go over where to put it and what to put in and how to get you started on compost for the spring.

I'm in the Nottingham/White Marsh area.

Are you new to Square foot gardening? I am from the Sparrow Point area.

And I'm from Glen Burnie.

I'm a certified SFG teacher if anyone is interested in getting a group together for a class.

Kim

BTW I'll be on Good Morning Maryland @ 9 AM on WMAR TV 2 in early March. I'll post in the Forum when I get the details. It will only be a 3-minute intro to SFG, but if I get enough support (and if I don't totally suck LOL) they might consider making this a recurring thing.

Anyone on the other side of the bay bridge???? Salisbury area or near by?