I started both types of tomatoes, both varieties of peppers, the basil, and pansies. In another month, there are a few other plants I'll start. By then, all of the first batch should be transplanted and under my grow lights.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
First batch of seeds are started
With the weather being so mild this winter and considering I plan to experiment with row covers (supposedly they lengthen the growing season by 2 weeks at either end), I decided to start my first batch of seeds today.
I started both types of tomatoes, both varieties of peppers, the basil, and pansies. In another month, there are a few other plants I'll start. By then, all of the first batch should be transplanted and under my grow lights.
I started both types of tomatoes, both varieties of peppers, the basil, and pansies. In another month, there are a few other plants I'll start. By then, all of the first batch should be transplanted and under my grow lights.
Saturday, February 9, 2013
An Improvement to the Blog
I've slowly started developing a few themes to the blog. Since today marks 1 month of its existence, I went back and created a few labels to better help anyone looking for information.
New labels include Learning About Plants, Past Mistakes, and Adirondack Chair. As I do more things with the blog, I'll add more labels when appropriate to help anyone looking for information on certain themes. If anyone has any requests, I'm happy to entertain them.
New labels include Learning About Plants, Past Mistakes, and Adirondack Chair. As I do more things with the blog, I'll add more labels when appropriate to help anyone looking for information on certain themes. If anyone has any requests, I'm happy to entertain them.
Learning about companion plants - Borage
I haven't grown borage before. As with a few other plants I'm growing this year (ground cherries, for one), I've never even seen it. I decided that I would give it a try after doing research on ways to expand my companion planting from last year. Although my tomatoes and peppers had no problems, the beans were wiped out. I sought out plants that would attract some of nature's predators into my garden. Borage appears to be an option. Since it also is colorful and has a number of benefits, I decided it was worth a try. After doing a bit of research, here's what I've found.
As a Companion Plant
Planting near tomatoes improves growth and disease resistance. Also good for squash, strawberries, and most plants. Supposedly enhances strawberry fruit flavor and yield. Deters tomato hornworms and cabbage worms.
Possessing pretty blue star-shaped flowers, it is one of the best bee (honey bees and other varieties) and wasp-attracting plants. Butterflies love it, too.
As a Companion Plant
Planting near tomatoes improves growth and disease resistance. Also good for squash, strawberries, and most plants. Supposedly enhances strawberry fruit flavor and yield. Deters tomato hornworms and cabbage worms.
Possessing pretty blue star-shaped flowers, it is one of the best bee (honey bees and other varieties) and wasp-attracting plants. Butterflies love it, too.
Growing Borage
Barely cover seeds with soil (approx 1/4") and keep moist. Plants grow to 18+" tall and spread approx 12"-24"
diameter. High phosphorous soil keeps them flowering.
Generally a gangly plant, the richer the soil, the bushier the plant will be. It prefers protection from wind and is easily blown over so place plants together.
Consumption of Borage
Borage flowers and leaves are edible. Eat leaves young because stalks and leaves develop a fuzz that is prickly.
Generally a gangly plant, the richer the soil, the bushier the plant will be. It prefers protection from wind and is easily blown over so place plants together.
Consumption of Borage
Borage flowers and leaves are edible. Eat leaves young because stalks and leaves develop a fuzz that is prickly.
Nutritional Information on Raw Borage
Borage is an "excellent source" (20%+ RDA) of Vitamin A. Amazingly, it's listed as providing 75% of the RDA of Vitamin A. It is also a "good source" (10-19% RDA) of Iron, Manganese, and Magnesium. There are also notable quantities of Calcium (8%), and Copper (6%), Phosphorous (5%), Potassium (9%), Riboflavin (8%). All assume 1 cup is consumed.Other Info
As it breaks down, it adds trace minerals to the soil and is a good addition the compost pile. Borage also makes a nice mulch for most plants. After it has been planted once, this annual will self seed.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Early Feb Plotting
I had to take the afternoon off from work to take care of a few things. Once those items were addressed, the boy and I went to the plot. We finished applying newspaper and mulching under the arbor, checked out the onions and garlic, and did some meandering around the site looking at other plots. The onions are a bit taller, but not so much so that they warranted a picture.
The arbor is ready to accommodate the Adirondack chair once it's sealed.
We also evaluated the box the watermelons will eventually be inhabiting. Because there isn't a ton of space available for something as immense as watermelon plants, I'll be attempting to encourage them to grow trellised. I have designed something, purchased half of the materials, and will start work on that shortly.
The plan is to plant three watermelon starters along the bottom (Northern) side of the box. The trellis will be shaped like a lean-to with the high side of the trellis on the opposing (Southern) side of the box.
It's debatable if my plan will work. I've seen people trellis squash plants and gourds before. Regardless, it should be a fun challenge for the summertime.
The arbor is ready to accommodate the Adirondack chair once it's sealed.
 |
| 3'x5' box awaiting a May planting of watermelons |
It's debatable if my plan will work. I've seen people trellis squash plants and gourds before. Regardless, it should be a fun challenge for the summertime.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Pursuing Organic, non-GM Gardening
As I touched on in a previous post, I'm exploring the world of organic, non-GMO gardening. I don't recall any one thing that really pushed me toward that. I think it was a number of things. I watched a few videos (quite a few are available, streaming on Netflix), read a few articles (printed and online), talked to some people who are educated (doctors and whatnot), and did a bit of critical thinking.
I also noticed that when I ate only whole (unprocessed) organic foods, particularly over a duration as long as a week, that I felt better. Less congested (a problem for me at this time of year), clearer-thinking, less bloated, slept better, was more awake when I was awake, and lost weight. Would I get similar results from whole, non-organic foods? Probably, but since we're trying to avoid chemical-laced products and foods that have been genetically modified, organic is the focus.
My world view has shifted to one where I really came to realize that what goes in our bodies all affects how they operate. The cleaner, more pure version of what goes in the better off we are. The way I see it, chemicals, pesticides, hormones, and genetic modification to food sources all have a trickle-down effect on how our bodies operate and also deter them from effective operation. And that's before we eat junk food and/or overeat.
My family's not to a point where we only eat organic/non-GMO stuff, but we're slowly working our way there. I figured that starting a garden with that methodology is a great way to start. It also helps us on our way toward the goal of having a small-scale homestead at some point in the future.
The Garden
A lot goes into gardening: the soil, the vessel (boxes, pots, etc), means of fertilization, pest control, fungicides. That's not including water, sun, wind, and any climbing structure that may be needed. All of those tangible aspects to the garden can and will leech unwanted chemicals into food crops.
Are your seeds safe?
I very recently stumbled across an article detailing some companies that have taken a "Safe Seed Pledge," meaning that they don't sell genetically modified seed. I'm happy to see that the two companies that I have bought my seeds from, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds and Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, are both on the list of having made that pledge. Johnny's Selected Seeds, a company I know a lot of people use, is also on that list.
What's all this mean?
It means that it's harder than ever to lead a healthy lifestyle. I think it's still worth the effort, though.
I also noticed that when I ate only whole (unprocessed) organic foods, particularly over a duration as long as a week, that I felt better. Less congested (a problem for me at this time of year), clearer-thinking, less bloated, slept better, was more awake when I was awake, and lost weight. Would I get similar results from whole, non-organic foods? Probably, but since we're trying to avoid chemical-laced products and foods that have been genetically modified, organic is the focus.
My world view has shifted to one where I really came to realize that what goes in our bodies all affects how they operate. The cleaner, more pure version of what goes in the better off we are. The way I see it, chemicals, pesticides, hormones, and genetic modification to food sources all have a trickle-down effect on how our bodies operate and also deter them from effective operation. And that's before we eat junk food and/or overeat.
My family's not to a point where we only eat organic/non-GMO stuff, but we're slowly working our way there. I figured that starting a garden with that methodology is a great way to start. It also helps us on our way toward the goal of having a small-scale homestead at some point in the future.
The Garden
A lot goes into gardening: the soil, the vessel (boxes, pots, etc), means of fertilization, pest control, fungicides. That's not including water, sun, wind, and any climbing structure that may be needed. All of those tangible aspects to the garden can and will leech unwanted chemicals into food crops.
Are your seeds safe?
I very recently stumbled across an article detailing some companies that have taken a "Safe Seed Pledge," meaning that they don't sell genetically modified seed. I'm happy to see that the two companies that I have bought my seeds from, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds and Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, are both on the list of having made that pledge. Johnny's Selected Seeds, a company I know a lot of people use, is also on that list.
What's all this mean?
It means that it's harder than ever to lead a healthy lifestyle. I think it's still worth the effort, though.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
So close to completion....
I had some time today to work on the chair. I evaluated a horizontal support on the back legs and decided against it. I used a rough toothed rasp to round out the edges of the boards then followed up with coarse grit sandpaper in the pad sander. In the end, everything was sanded down nicely.
Once all that was complete, I washed everything down to remove the fine layer of sawdust that coated the chair. It was at that point that I read the application instructions on the water sealant and learned that I need 50 degree temps for 48 hrs after application and a well-ventilated area.
Looks like the chair will be shelved for a few months until the temps rise enough to seal the wood. In the meantime, I'll take measurements to create drawings to replicate the final product should that ever be necessary.
Once all that was complete, I washed everything down to remove the fine layer of sawdust that coated the chair. It was at that point that I read the application instructions on the water sealant and learned that I need 50 degree temps for 48 hrs after application and a well-ventilated area.
Looks like the chair will be shelved for a few months until the temps rise enough to seal the wood. In the meantime, I'll take measurements to create drawings to replicate the final product should that ever be necessary.
Friday, February 1, 2013
Less is more for the Adirondack chair
Today was the first day since Monday that I was able to work on the chair some. I attached the mid-back support to the upright pieces, measured and cut the curves for the armrests and back, mounted the top-back support, and chopped and dropped the whole thing 4".
When I was at the plot Tuesday, I measured the maximum possible depth under the arbor that could accommodate the chair. Thankfully, when I sat in it today, I found that I had a similar (but less pronounced) problem as my dad had: my feet were on tip toe when seated. Thus: by lowering the height to what is more comfortable, I also shortened the base. As a result, the chair is now 39.5" long which fits in the allowable space with an inch to spare.
Now that the armrest and chair back work is done, the only other piece to make is a horizontal support to join the rear legs. Once I've sanded it and applied a water sealant to the whole thing, the chair is finished.
When I was at the plot Tuesday, I measured the maximum possible depth under the arbor that could accommodate the chair. Thankfully, when I sat in it today, I found that I had a similar (but less pronounced) problem as my dad had: my feet were on tip toe when seated. Thus: by lowering the height to what is more comfortable, I also shortened the base. As a result, the chair is now 39.5" long which fits in the allowable space with an inch to spare.
Now that the armrest and chair back work is done, the only other piece to make is a horizontal support to join the rear legs. Once I've sanded it and applied a water sealant to the whole thing, the chair is finished.
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