Growing/sharing/learning to garden: 2023

[Catsumi]

Fantastic photos DanSpeed! Thanks for the Passion Flower lesson. Might have to try it next Spring. As for the Cantaloupe, that is another "must try" for the QKHQ. Are you seed saving from that one?

Watermelon did zip here too. Two tiny ones I am saving for a joke. $6.99 per melon at Independent, I wonder how much the farmer gets? I devote far too much land to sunflowers for discussion. Birds love me though.

The pumpkin issue and this years heat is a disaster for Halloween. A full on disaster.

I only used three seeds from the package so I have lots for next year. They say seed saving from melons can be dicey because they cross pollinate with other varieties of melons and don't always grow true again.

I'm still picking long english cucumbers. One vine said adiós but the producing one is still healthy. I can't believe stores never dropped the price of cucs, lettuce and tomato's all summer. I refuse to pay COVID prices for fruit and vegetables. I gave away 60 pounds of tomato's to my neighbor for his restaurants.

So it wasn't just my grapes that were early this year...

Okanagan Valley wineries rush to work with early grape harvest

My green seedless are always ready second week in September and not always sweet. This year I picked them first week in August! That's a first in 30+ years.

Your photos, your commentary and best of all, your enthusiasmfor growing plants has been such a delight for all of summer growing your own veggies, Danspeed.

Good job!

Cats

[Lady tehMa]

I picked more carrots today, and cukes. And some tomatoes - gave them all to my mom--in-law.

Hey, what are your fall plans for the garden? I have only ever done a cover crop once, it was okay but some work. Do you compost the plants you pull? Or just dig them in where they sit? Do you use a shredder on plant stalks?
I start rolling up the drip lines and turning them off as the beds are no longer used. I put valves on them, so as not to waste water.

[DANSPEED]

Your photos, your commentary and best of all, your enthusiasmfor growing plants has been such a delight for all of summer growing your own veggies, Danspeed.

Good job!

Cats

Thanks Catsumi! As Queen K said, it must be the Doukhobor in me.

Well the nights are getting colder so I decided to harvest my bell pepper wall. At this point moisture and rotting can be an issue. No sign of red bells but I left a few to see if they'll turn color. I got 39 pounds...

Bell_wall_count.jpg

I picked more carrots today, and cukes. And some tomatoes - gave them all to my mom--in-law.

Hey, what are your fall plans for the garden? I have only ever done a cover crop once, it was okay but some work. Do you compost the plants you pull? Or just dig them in where they sit? Do you use a shredder on plant stalks?
I start rolling up the drip lines and turning them off as the beds are no longer used. I put valves on them, so as not to waste water.

I can't believe were talking about end of season already. Seems like just yesterday I was taking pics of my tree peony in bloom. What did you plant as a cover crop? I shred everything and toss it in the compost bins. My compost pile has turned into more of a waste bin over the years than a source of soil and mulch. I've tried layering it and adding cardboard, paper egg cartons etc. and ROT-IT powder but I can still pull out whole things I tossed into it years ago. Think I'll skip composting and start rototilling the veggie garden plants and all.

[Lady tehMa]

I can't believe were talking about end of season already. Seems like just yesterday I was taking pics of my tree peony in bloom. What did you plant as a cover crop? I shred everything and toss it in the compost bins. My compost pile has turned into more of a waste bin over the years than a source of soil and mulch. I've tried layering it and adding cardboard, paper egg cartons etc. and ROT-IT powder but I can still pull out whole things I tossed into it years ago. Think I'll skip composting and start rototilling the veggie garden plants and all.

You know, it was long enough ago I'm not entirely sure. I think it was a grass of some sort.

I know what you mean about composting, I have a pile that is more of a waste bin as well.

QK is the one who knows all about composting. I keep meaning to ask her so we might as well ask her now, how the heck does this work?

[Queen K]

Add moisture and seal in the moisture. Dry compost doesn't break down. When we take out veggie peels etc, we make sure they are swimming in water from the sink, or what we washed it all in. I peel back the plastic layer, add it all, and as below, scoop in dirt.

Also, when I add almost anything now, I scoop a layer of dirt from the donated dirt my neighourbour gave me. His dirt looks a bit out of nutrients, dead dirt. But adding thin layers over moist compost offerings over layer after layer is rebuilding that dirt. It is sealed on top with a black plastic "lid" aka a garbage bag, and then a real lid, and it is making it all work it's way down.

In the past I dug out entire compost bins and layered in sunflower stalks on the bottom and added grass and leaves. By the next year the inside of the stalks are fine black dirt. Knock that stuff out into the soil!

Yesterday I opened the "hatch" on the bottom of my round compost bin and what looks like black coffee grounds, "compost gold" fell out. I carefully put it back for when I have the time to get to it.

[Glacier]

Anyone else get a bumper crop of beans this year? Everyone tells me they are as well.

+1 last night so might harvest the tomatoes soon.

Wow, that's a huge hall of peppers above! I only have 2 plants and they're just ready to harvest now.

I brought more at Desert Hills in Ashcroft last week. 1 box of mixed bell peppers and another of pimentos.

[Catsumi]

Danspeed spoketh

I shred everything and toss it in the compost bins. My compost pile has turned into more of a waste bin over the years than a source of soil and mulch. I've tried layering it and adding cardboard, paper egg cartons etc. and ROT-IT powder but I can still pull out whole things I tossed into it years ago. Think I'll skip composting and start rototilling the veggie garden plants and all.

The last big garden space I owned was in a very dry, dry area. [starts with K, ends with S] where composting in bins became a pia, so went to Trenching method as I never owned a mulcher. Simply dig a 6” deep trench in garden, throw in kitchen peelings, dead plants and whatever plant organics you have. Cover it with soil, pretend you’re a cat, then walk away.

The moisture from snow plus freezing and melting composts all that stuff for you. Simple. In spring, no sign of original materials.

Another boon was no attracting mice and (yeeks!) rats.

If you can’t see yourself trenching, just dig a hole where a plant was recently removed. Dump compostables in and cover with soil. Pure magic.

Yes, beans were terrific this year Glacier. Your house is going to smell great when you combine all those ingredients plus additives such as basil and garlic.

[DANSPEED]

Add moisture and seal in the moisture. Dry compost doesn't break down. When we take out veggie peels etc, we make sure they are swimming in water from the sink, or what we washed it all in. I peel back the plastic layer, add it all, and as below, scoop in dirt.

Also, when I add almost anything now, I scoop a layer of dirt from the donated dirt my neighourbour gave me. His dirt looks a bit out of nutrients, dead dirt. But adding thin layers over moist compost offerings over layer after layer is rebuilding that dirt. It is sealed on top with a black plastic "lid" aka a garbage bag, and then a real lid, and it is making it all work it's way down.

In the past I dug out entire compost bins and layered in sunflower stalks on the bottom and added grass and leaves. By the next year the inside of the stalks are fine black dirt. Knock that stuff out into the soil!

Yesterday I opened the "hatch" on the bottom of my round compost bin and what looks like black coffee grounds, "compost gold" fell out. I carefully put it back for when I have the time to get to it.

Do you add a rot starter like ROT-IT? Can you get cedar hedge pruning's to rot? I've read without adding cardboard or other paper fibers you end up with brown mush. My three compost bins are wood slat and not sealable. Maybe I should line them with plastic. I know it's all about layering and bacteria creating heat. Last winter the snow on top melted but that eventually fizzled out. I can dig down and find a pineapple I bought ten years ago. My compost bin is more like a time capsule.

[Queen K]

Oh dear, I don't use Rot-it, I'd use that for tree stumps if I had to. I used to compulsively turn the compost daily, which was too often. And even with a well heated compost, I can still find semi-composted bits when I screen it. And find the odd thing that somehow ended up in there, like, oh, a fork. But when I was out there the I resisted the urge to turn it. I would like to up grade my City compost bins from the round to the rectangle. As for sealing, it works better on my homemade compost bins which have no air holes, just the ones where I'm using plywood sides. It's just a layer on top that the steam hits and then returns the water back down. I shouldn't imply it's completely sealed all around. And yes, there are things I'd never put in a compost bin anymore, including avocado skins or materials that are too tough. I never try peanut shells anymore. Green bin the cedar hedge clippings!

Does anyone here have apples falling to the ground that they're not using? I have a friend who would like them for food for their two pigs.

[Lady tehMa]

I think I will get husband to blow out the hoses Sunday, and get them put away.

When I was out this morning, I could see my breath.

[Babba_not_Gump]

F
Do you add a rot starter like ROT-IT? Can you get cedar hedge pruning's to rot? I've read without adding cardboard or other paper fibers you end up with brown mush. My three compost bins are wood slat and not sealable. Maybe I should line them with plastic. I know it's all about layering and bacteria creating heat. Last winter the snow on top melted but that eventually fizzled out. I can dig down and find a pineapple I bought ten years ago. My compost bin is more like a time capsule.

I used rot-it years ago, but then quit. Didn't see the point in it.

My thoughts are that a compost needs some airflow and regular turning.

I had two composts. One was made out of concrete blocks, not by me, nothing rotted so I knocked holes in the sides. That helped.

The other was simply four pallets, wired together in a square. I turned it a half dozen times a year which was easy, just open up one side and start digging. Pallets are nice and open, though I did line it with chicken wire mesh to fill in the openings. They are also easy to come by.
Every year I got plenty of compost out of this one.

And no, don't use cedar. Too many plants don't like it, especially blueberries.

[DANSPEED]

Oh dear, I don't use Rot-it, I'd use that for tree stumps if I had to. I used to compulsively turn the compost daily, which was too often. And even with a well heated compost, I can still find semi-composted bits when I screen it. And find the odd thing that somehow ended up in there, like, oh, a fork. But when I was out there the I resisted the urge to turn it. I would like to up grade my City compost bins from the round to the rectangle. As for sealing, it works better on my homemade compost bins which have no air holes, just the ones where I'm using plywood sides. It's just a layer on top that the steam hits and then returns the water back down. I shouldn't imply it's completely sealed all around. And yes, there are things I'd never put in a compost bin anymore, including avocado skins or materials that are too tough. I never try peanut shells anymore. Green bin the cedar hedge clippings!

Does anyone here have apples falling to the ground that they're not using? I have a friend who would like them for food for their two pigs.

ROT-IT is sold as a compost activator. Buckerfield's sells it. They say fish fertilizer works too. So no airflow in yours. Won't that turn into a stinky mess? I've got five cedar hedges. Ones 12 feet high. I hate them all! I'd need a hundred green bins to collect the clippings. ... If your friend lives nears apples orchards I'm sure if she asked nicely one might let her take a box of windfalls after harvest time. The apple orchard below my place lets the apples fall every year. I'd say 30 tons or more. A real waste! We should have a gleaning law in BC like they do in parts of Europe. That would really upset the applecart!

I picked a long english today and was surprised to find holes where the seeds should be. I've never seen this before...

Cuke_no seeds.jpg

[Queen K]

Looks like your cucumber is surprised too!

I realize now "seal" is the wrong word, I should say I cover the top and push the edges of the plastic down, it helps with the heat and water to return down to the compost. I don't "not turn it" I just don't do it as often as every day.

Sounds like you need to just take all those cedars down all at once and have a trailer there to collect it all all at once and done. Off to the landfill's green drop off site.

And yes about the apples, she lives nowhere near an orchard, but yes, there has to be someone who'd love to see a box or eight go.

[mountain md]

I only used three seeds from the package so I have lots for next year. They say seed saving from melons can be dicey because they cross pollinate with other varieties of melons and don't always grow true again.

I'm still picking long english cucumbers. One vine said adiós but the producing one is still healthy. I can't believe stores never dropped the price of cucs, lettuce and tomato's all summer. I refuse to pay COVID prices for fruit and vegetables. I gave away 60 pounds of tomato's to my neighbor for his restaurants.

So it wasn't just my grapes that were early this year...

Okanagan Valley wineries rush to work with early grape harvest

My green seedless are always ready second week in September and not always sweet. This year I picked them first week in August! That's a first in 30+ years.

Your photos, your commentary and best of all, your enthusiasmfor growing plants has been such a delight for all of summer growing your own veggies, Danspeed.

Good job!

Cats

Good job Danspeed great pictures. When making compost it needs carbon and nitrogen and moisture (water) to work. Nitrogen can be anything green (garden waste, lawn clippings (no pesticides) manure of any kind, even weeds without mature seeds will work, kitchen scrapes no meat. Carbon can be sawdust, unwaxed cardboard although these have No Nutrients Leaves are by far the best, shredded with lawn mower speeds up decomposition. I use about 60% horse manure, mostly alfalfa feed and throw in some other greens if any are available and the other 40% are leaves, mostly maple. Wet everything until quite damp then mix all the stuff together and this should make a hot pile if it is at least a cubic yard in size. For faster decomposition the pile needs to be turned about every 3 to 4 days until the pile starts to quit heating then about once a week to keep the pile aerated so the microbes can work properly and they also need water so never let the pile dry out. This work will all pay off with a compost that has lots of nutrients ( if you use leaves and manure ) in less than a year , more like six to eight months. Good luck and happy gardening.

[Queen K]

Welcome to the thread mountain md! Thanks for bringing up manure, this has got to be the first or second year I have not rounded any up for the compost piles. My dad was a seasoned Gardener of Yore and one day Mr. QK and I arrived home to find 10-12 buckets of rotted manure waiting for us. Not everyone would be delighted but we were.

Yes, must find some manure for the Winter.