We Got Some Rain!

We got some rain, granted it was only ¼ inch still we got some. Everything smells so fresh and clean now. With the rain we are blessed with a beautiful sunrise. (See photo) It was so nice to just sit out side last night and listen and smell the rain as it was coming down. The air was crisp and clean, something we don't get to experience that to often here on the high plains of southern Colorado. Our average annual precipitation is 12.5 inches, not much so we enjoy every drop we get.
So I will enjoy the little moisture we got today and get ready to water tonight.
Till next time


Happy gardening / rainy days.

Burning Weeds and Garden Up Date

I'll tell you I'm impressed so far I like burning weeds it seems that the weeds stay down longer than pulling and you have better control than spray or pulling.
Here it is one week before the 4th of July and some of the corn is already up to my knee. (The old saying for corn “Knee high by the 4th of July” that's for a good crop).
Beats, beans, potatoes, garlic and onion are doing great, the raspberries and blueberries that I planted, look like they just might take off I'll know more next year on them.
My tomatoes are finally starting to look good. Now down to the fun plants the peanuts and the sorghum, are doing fine. Now lets keep in mind that this is the first year I have ever planted any thing like that so I'm learning as I go but to me for now all looks good. I still cant get carrots to come up for me, how frustrating. The beats I planted under the hot box this winter are ready to pick and will be doing that next week. (Watch for photos)
In the last week I made 3 trellises there cheep to make and fairly easy. I can't see spending $20.00 and up for something I can make for just a few dollars. I may do a video and put it no you tube. I am working on a video on how to make a mold for hypertufa leaves. Once I get all the codes in to my computer I will be adding that also.

Till next time happy gardening

Weed control

Here is on topic all gardeners at one time or another talks and debates about. WEEDS and how to get rid of these plants that grow every were. In an open field or mountain meadow, they are called plants, but in your garden or yard they become weeds. By most definition a weed is a plant out of place.
So with that in mind how can this “plant” be put in its place. I do confess that I have tried most ways to control this pesky plants. I have sprayed, covered with plastic, mulched, mowed and this year I am tilling under, cutting, and burning. So far this seems to be working out nicely. Yes I do still get down on my knees and pull and pull, but now it's not as long and only between the plants I want to keep.
Till next time


Happy Gardening / weeding

How the garden is doing.

Just about every thing is up or very close to it. The one thing that is not coming up for me yet is the carrots, last year I had two crops this year nothing. Also the celery for some reason has not come up yet
maybe it will and I just haven't giving it enough time or maybe it wont even come up we'll see.
I will be picking snow peas in the next few days, I picked some and ate them in the garden yesterday there is nothing in life like any vegetable right out of your own garden. If you have never experienced it grow some thing you know you will like and try it it is worth your time and effort.
I have a lot of weeding to take care of in the next few days, but that is just more time in the garden.
I've added some photos of how the garden is coming along.
Till next time

Happy planting and growing

The worm Bucket

This is a handy little worm composter.
It is easy to make and will fit under your sink or in a closet.
With about ½ pound of worms you should be able to compost most of your (non meat) foods and a lot of your paper trash.
What you will need to build this worm bucket.
5 gallon bucket
hardware cloth
window screen
¾” PVC pipe 2”long you will need 6
2” PVC pipe 2” long
valve (optional)
Tools:
Drill
Saw or pipe cutter
1 1/2” drill bit
Silicone caulk
Drill bit for the valve if you want one.
NOTE if you don't put in a valve you will need to drill small holes in the bottom to let the extra watter out. If you chose that you will also need to use a bucket to catch the water.
I will be posting more about worms so check back often. I will also tell you how to use your worm castings and how to make “worm tea” for your plants.
You can see the video at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwphvZlXmjA

Till next time

Happy planting – growing and worming

Patio Vegetable Garden

This is a sample of what you can grow if you don't have a lot of room or if you just don't want a big garden. Here is a list of vegetables that you can grow in a small patio garden.
Artichoke, Globe, Asparagus, Beans, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chicory, Eggplant, Garlic, Horseradish, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Okra, Onions, Parsnips, Peas, Peppers, Potatoes, Radish, Rutabaga, Shallots, Spinach, Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Swiss Chard, Tomatoes, and Turnips. Is this all you can grow in a small patio garden? No.
But this should get you started. Just keep in mind the size of the plants once they mature. For example you can put corn in your patio garden but some corn can get to be 12 feet tall while some of the high breads
only get between 3 to 4 feet tall. If you want to put in vine plants like your melons or squash you will need to trellis them so they will grow vertical, but keep in mind the size of the fruit at harvest some may be just be to large to be supported.
You can also add in some flowers with your vegetables for a nice change.
untill next time.


Happy planting – growing

Container salad garden

If you live in a town house, apartment with a balcony, or just don't want to mess with a large garden, container gardening might be for you.
In this movie I give a brief overview of this kind of gardening. This is just one way you can have a little home grown vegetables without all the weeding of a larger garden. You can plant all kinds of vegetables, herbs or you can plant flowers or even a combination of all or some. I hope that you will try a container garden.
If you don't have the dirt you can use top soil that comes in bags at home improvement stores or most places that sell gardening supplies. Get yourself a good compost for the top 6 to 8 inches and mix it in well. Then plant your plants or seeds and enjoy. Once you harvest your vegetables and have them with dinner all this work will be worth it. Remember to water your new container garden about every 3 days. Keep an eye on how the soil drys out or if it stays moist, if the plants start to wilt it is time for more water. You will need to add a plant food about every 2 to 3 weeks to help the plants grow strong.
I will add more on this container garden as it grows.
Until next time


Happy planting – growing

Part one

Part two