So today I started the long process of building my soaker hose irrigation. I have planned this idea in my head for so many months now.
I put everything together, well 2 beds, and tested it. Wanted to make sure the joints didn’t leak before I did the rest of the garden.
Im happy with the results. I timed the watering for these two beds. At 30m didn’t quit seem enough. At 1 hour seemed to much. So I will set these at 45m and see how it goes.
Now I have split the main garden into two zones. So when I finish the rest of the set-up, I will time again. Since water will be traveling through more hose, I might need to adjust the times.
Not sure if I should water twice a day or two. Guess I’ll find out soon enough.
Garden is growing amazing. I’ve already given so much to friends. I love growing a garden but I need to get better at keeping up on the harvesting so it can stay healthy and grow more.
SWEET POTATO SLIPS PLANTED:
This is the first time I’ve grown my own sweet potato slips to plant in the garden. Actually I’ve never tried to grow sweet potatoes before. I think I may have planted them to close together. We will see how they turn out.
On the sides of the bed I planted herbs and marigolds.
MILK CRATES AS PLANTERS
I love milk crates. I make so many things with them; shoe racks, veggie baskets, storage bins and now I made them into planters.
The girls finally showed some interest in growing plants. I used all my growing space in the garden and I didn’t have space for another raised bed so I had the idea of making my milk crates into planters.
I lined the inside of the crates with landscaping fabric (that water can drain through nicely) and had the girls mix up some soil and fill the crates.
Since it was a little too late to plant seeds we drove to our local greenhouses and the girls picked out some plants. They ended up planting 8 crates with veggies and flowers and 2 wooden planters that were empty and begging to be used.
Yesterday I used a crate to plant peppermint, spearmint and mojito mint.
MAIN GARDEN
Napa cabbage boltingPlanted celery where the napa cabbage was.Chard & Baby Bok Choy. Pulled out all the chard that went to seed and planted more chard in its place.Broccoli Rabe and onionsCorn and potatoesBush beans, okra and cucumbersThinned out the beets and carrotsEdible flowers, pole beans and peasYummy peas! I was curious and ate one of the pea plant leaves. They are so tasty I was amazed!Sweet bell pepper finally are starting some new growth and eggplants are a little bigger.Collards, onions and dillStrawberries, lettuce, arugula, spinachTomatoes and collardsSage, kale, thyme, rosemary and basilSo I accidentally over watered the strawberries. The leaves started to brown on the edges. I clipped all the bad leaves and the new leaves are looking better.Blueberries
STRAW BALE GARDEN
It seems that I must of done this right because everything is growing nicely.
TomatoesFlat leaf parsleyHungarian Wax Hot peppersWatermelonCauliflowerRed cabbageGreen cabbagePumpkinSugar Bush Acorn SquashBurgess Buttercup SquashZucchiniCrookneck squashCelerySpaghetti squashMarigoldsCilantro
It’s been a crazy adventure so far. Today and tomorrow I build the soaker hose irrigation system. Wish me luck!
I found 3 wonderful clamps at the thrift store. They are perfect for keeping my covers on the raised beds open. They are light weight and easy to open.
I searched everywhere trying to find more. Spent way too long doing this. Finally I came across them on eBay.
I absolutely love these clamps! They have so many useful uses.
TinyTee HEALTHbits 