March 4, 2012 -
So last time I told you about the mishap ... or I should say the weather ... with the Cole Family seedlings (Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, etc.) and how I had to deal with them. They will make fine dirt for the future. So, now I will tell how I replaced them.
Thursday night, Isaac, Abby, Andy and I planted 18 new Broccoli plants. Because I got them from Bonnie Plants, there were only a few varieties. So we planted 9 Premium Crop Broccoli and Packman Broccoli. I am curious about the Premium Crop because the package said they could produce heads up to 12" across. That is mammoth. They had a lot of fun doing it. I think they had more fun watering them they than did the actual planting.
We also planted 42 red onion bulbs. These were Whethersfield Red Beauty onions. I lucked up getting these at China-mart, I mean Walmart, for $1.88 for 50. Hopefully, these will do well.
I must say though that after Friday night's fun weather, it has gotten cooler and I have some of the Bloomsdale Long Standing Spinach poking their heads up. Hopefully, they will grow and not bolt. Just in case they do not grow, I bought some Bonnie Spinach today and planted them. I also bought some Bonnie's Romaine lettuce today, but I did not plant it because it was cold outside.
Well, we have some yellow and white onions to plant this week and I have to build another 4x4 bed.
Keeping you updated.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Friday, March 2, 2012
Update on the Delk Garden
March 2, 2012 -
My blog dashboard tells me that it has been two weeks since I last update this. So...here is an update.
Tragedy Strikes The Seedlings! I think I use that word too much. Well we all know we have had a very unseasonable winter. I like it but the seeds for most spring vegetables don't. I had a couple of varieties of cabbage and broccoli going but they just never seemed to develop. I also had some cauliflower going as well but it also seemed to have trouble flourishing. I think the reason was two-fold: (1) Poor nutrition in the seed starting soil I had and (2) it was just too warm. From what I read last year, the Cole family likes to have weather around 55-65 degrees to germinate. We just have not had that in the house or outside and because of that my seedlings bolted. Well needless to say, I chunked them into the compost pile last night. I have bought two varieties of Broccoli from Bonnie Plants that I will do and one variety of cabbage. These are Premium Crop and Packman for the Broccoli and Flat Dutch for the cabbage.
Tulips are still working their way up. I think just about every bulb came up that we planted in the fall.
Garlic is doing well. Hopefully it will continue to grow and I will have some garlic for the fall.
Got 8 of the beds functioning and ready for plenty of plants. Still got two that I need to fill and get ready. I also have enough material for at least one more with my re-purposed lumber.
I plan on this weekend starting my tomato plants indoors with the help of my empty toilet paper rollers.
Keep growing.
My blog dashboard tells me that it has been two weeks since I last update this. So...here is an update.
Tragedy Strikes The Seedlings! I think I use that word too much. Well we all know we have had a very unseasonable winter. I like it but the seeds for most spring vegetables don't. I had a couple of varieties of cabbage and broccoli going but they just never seemed to develop. I also had some cauliflower going as well but it also seemed to have trouble flourishing. I think the reason was two-fold: (1) Poor nutrition in the seed starting soil I had and (2) it was just too warm. From what I read last year, the Cole family likes to have weather around 55-65 degrees to germinate. We just have not had that in the house or outside and because of that my seedlings bolted. Well needless to say, I chunked them into the compost pile last night. I have bought two varieties of Broccoli from Bonnie Plants that I will do and one variety of cabbage. These are Premium Crop and Packman for the Broccoli and Flat Dutch for the cabbage.
Tulips are still working their way up. I think just about every bulb came up that we planted in the fall.
Garlic is doing well. Hopefully it will continue to grow and I will have some garlic for the fall.
Got 8 of the beds functioning and ready for plenty of plants. Still got two that I need to fill and get ready. I also have enough material for at least one more with my re-purposed lumber.
I plan on this weekend starting my tomato plants indoors with the help of my empty toilet paper rollers.
Keep growing.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Onions
February 15, 2012 -
I am going to try onions this year. Not sure if I will break down and do sets later but right now I am going to try growing from seeds. I have never done this. When I was younger, my Dad would buy sets and we would put them out in a row and watch them grow. However, we did not have much luck because of the clay ground we had.
I am going to try three varieties this year. I may try four but we will have to see. The three varieties are: Sweet Spanish Utah Jumbo (a yellow), Southport White Globe (a white) and Red Burgundy (a red). I have planted the Sweet Spanish Utah Jumbo and the Southport White Globe. I will probably plant the Red Burgundy this weekend if I have time. I started these indoors in egg cartons. When they get a little bigger, I will move them out to the garden as sets. I will probably plant these with the cabbage I am working on to keep down pests.
The Sweet Spanish Utah was the first to germinate. I have some small green shoots showing up. Germination time was supposed to be 10-12 days, but it looks like they are a little early. These seeds were planted last week on will hopefully yield some onions around the beginning of June. We will have to see, like I said this is the first time I have planted these. Since this is the first year I have tried them, I am just doing 12.
The Southport White Globe has not sprouted yet. I have also planted 12 of these. Waiting for the first shoots to pop up but nothing on them yet. These also should start yielding around June.
The Red Burgundy I will plant 12 of these also. I may do some more of the yellow and red since I am not a big fan of the white.
Anyway I will keep you posted.
I am going to try onions this year. Not sure if I will break down and do sets later but right now I am going to try growing from seeds. I have never done this. When I was younger, my Dad would buy sets and we would put them out in a row and watch them grow. However, we did not have much luck because of the clay ground we had.
I am going to try three varieties this year. I may try four but we will have to see. The three varieties are: Sweet Spanish Utah Jumbo (a yellow), Southport White Globe (a white) and Red Burgundy (a red). I have planted the Sweet Spanish Utah Jumbo and the Southport White Globe. I will probably plant the Red Burgundy this weekend if I have time. I started these indoors in egg cartons. When they get a little bigger, I will move them out to the garden as sets. I will probably plant these with the cabbage I am working on to keep down pests.
The Sweet Spanish Utah was the first to germinate. I have some small green shoots showing up. Germination time was supposed to be 10-12 days, but it looks like they are a little early. These seeds were planted last week on will hopefully yield some onions around the beginning of June. We will have to see, like I said this is the first time I have planted these. Since this is the first year I have tried them, I am just doing 12.
The Southport White Globe has not sprouted yet. I have also planted 12 of these. Waiting for the first shoots to pop up but nothing on them yet. These also should start yielding around June.
The Red Burgundy I will plant 12 of these also. I may do some more of the yellow and red since I am not a big fan of the white.
Anyway I will keep you posted.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Copenhagen Early Market - Cabbage
February 10, 2012 -
Had a bit of a scare last night. I had made the comment to one of my co-workers that need to move the seedlings from the seed start dirt (which is not really nutrious for the plants) to some good compost soil, then I came home last night to see the Copenhagen Early Market variety of cabbage practically wilted. I transferred the plants to cups full of dirt and soaked them in water, but one of them will not make it. So I replanted 1 cabbage last night.
I will do the same to the rest of them tonight and Saturday. All the others seem to be doing well.
Had a bit of a scare last night. I had made the comment to one of my co-workers that need to move the seedlings from the seed start dirt (which is not really nutrious for the plants) to some good compost soil, then I came home last night to see the Copenhagen Early Market variety of cabbage practically wilted. I transferred the plants to cups full of dirt and soaked them in water, but one of them will not make it. So I replanted 1 cabbage last night.
I will do the same to the rest of them tonight and Saturday. All the others seem to be doing well.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Repurposed - Dunnage from Work
February 4, 2012 -
I work at Bull Moose Tube company in Trenton, GA as the plant engineer. I am shocked sometimes at what we throw away in an industrial setting that I know we can use for something else. Last year, I re-purposed some divider boards for OSB blocks we use in storage to make 2 beds that were 42" square. These are the beds that currently are home to our garlic and tulips. They have performed better than I had expected and have really impressed me.
With the garden pushing for more expansion this year, I happened upon another item that my boss allowed me to re-purpose for the expansion beds I am in the process of building. The dunnage that is returned from Husqvarna for us to reuse also includes dunnage from some of their other suppliers. We typically throw this away and keep ours. I noticed that there were several 2x4 boards that came back that we throw away. This bothered me and I decided to see what I could design to reuse these.
One of the sizes that comes back is 24" 2x4 boards. With a little bit of sketching, I came up with a 4'x4' bed that I could use to build out my garden. When the operators sort these, they hold out the 24" lumber for me. I take it home and expand my garden with a little bit of nailing. So far, I have created 3 of these to expand in. They seem sturdy and when they finally do rot away. I can just build another one as long as we continue to sell product to Husqvarna.
I work at Bull Moose Tube company in Trenton, GA as the plant engineer. I am shocked sometimes at what we throw away in an industrial setting that I know we can use for something else. Last year, I re-purposed some divider boards for OSB blocks we use in storage to make 2 beds that were 42" square. These are the beds that currently are home to our garlic and tulips. They have performed better than I had expected and have really impressed me.
With the garden pushing for more expansion this year, I happened upon another item that my boss allowed me to re-purpose for the expansion beds I am in the process of building. The dunnage that is returned from Husqvarna for us to reuse also includes dunnage from some of their other suppliers. We typically throw this away and keep ours. I noticed that there were several 2x4 boards that came back that we throw away. This bothered me and I decided to see what I could design to reuse these.
One of the sizes that comes back is 24" 2x4 boards. With a little bit of sketching, I came up with a 4'x4' bed that I could use to build out my garden. When the operators sort these, they hold out the 24" lumber for me. I take it home and expand my garden with a little bit of nailing. So far, I have created 3 of these to expand in. They seem sturdy and when they finally do rot away. I can just build another one as long as we continue to sell product to Husqvarna.
Broccoli - Green Goliath
February 4, 2012 -
I threw out 2 of the rolls of Green Goliath from 2011. They did not germinate. I think I might have planted them too deep. You are only supposed to go 1/4" deep and I think these guys ended up being about an inch deep. The 2011 Lot of the Green Goliath seeds were the last to germinate because I think they were too deep. All of the 2007 Lot of the Green Goliath germinated and are doing well. Although all of them are behind the cabbage. This kinda of surprises me.
But there are 4 of the 2011 Lot and 4 of the 2007 Lot going strong. I still have to plant some of the De Cicco Broccoli. If I get the opportunity tomorrow I will plant 6 of these as well.
I threw out 2 of the rolls of Green Goliath from 2011. They did not germinate. I think I might have planted them too deep. You are only supposed to go 1/4" deep and I think these guys ended up being about an inch deep. The 2011 Lot of the Green Goliath seeds were the last to germinate because I think they were too deep. All of the 2007 Lot of the Green Goliath germinated and are doing well. Although all of them are behind the cabbage. This kinda of surprises me.
But there are 4 of the 2011 Lot and 4 of the 2007 Lot going strong. I still have to plant some of the De Cicco Broccoli. If I get the opportunity tomorrow I will plant 6 of these as well.
Copenhagen Early Market Cabbage
February 4, 2012 -
Throw out one of my "rolls" of this variety of cabbage. It did not germinate. This was one that I had knocked over when Abby was trying to see the baby cabbage. I filled it back in, but I think the damage was done. Well, still have 5 of these going.
Throw out one of my "rolls" of this variety of cabbage. It did not germinate. This was one that I had knocked over when Abby was trying to see the baby cabbage. I filled it back in, but I think the damage was done. Well, still have 5 of these going.
Tulips-a-Plenty
February 4, 2012 -
Last fall, before cooler temperatures arrived, I got two types of tulip bulbs on sale. Jocelyn's favorite flower is the tulip. So we purchased some red and white tulips and allowed them to take over one of the beds. This might have been poor planning on my part but it will be worth it when they sprout up here soon.
When I noticed our garlic bulbs poking their heads up a couple of weeks ago, I also noticed that the bulbs I had planted in the fall had also awakened. With the unseasonably warm weather we have had all winter, it is no wonder that they have poked their little green thumbs out the ground. When I counted all of the bulbs that Abby and I planted last year were up and out.
They are just small compact shoots now, but hopefully they will harken in spring when it gets with a burst of color. They also will hopefully mark a spot for honey bees to come back to several times this summer.
Last fall, before cooler temperatures arrived, I got two types of tulip bulbs on sale. Jocelyn's favorite flower is the tulip. So we purchased some red and white tulips and allowed them to take over one of the beds. This might have been poor planning on my part but it will be worth it when they sprout up here soon.
When I noticed our garlic bulbs poking their heads up a couple of weeks ago, I also noticed that the bulbs I had planted in the fall had also awakened. With the unseasonably warm weather we have had all winter, it is no wonder that they have poked their little green thumbs out the ground. When I counted all of the bulbs that Abby and I planted last year were up and out.
They are just small compact shoots now, but hopefully they will harken in spring when it gets with a burst of color. They also will hopefully mark a spot for honey bees to come back to several times this summer.
Cauliflower
February 4, 2012 -
Along with some of my other spring vegetables, I have also started some cauliflower. Early Snowball is the name and it is from a packet of seeds I had from last year. I planted 6 "rolls" of these and they have all sprouted up. I planted the week of January 22nd. All appear to be healthy. Looking forward to the next few leaf sprouts to poke out soon.
I plan on putting these out the same time as the cabbage and broccoli. With luck we will have a some early spring harvest of vegetables.
Check back for more updates.
Along with some of my other spring vegetables, I have also started some cauliflower. Early Snowball is the name and it is from a packet of seeds I had from last year. I planted 6 "rolls" of these and they have all sprouted up. I planted the week of January 22nd. All appear to be healthy. Looking forward to the next few leaf sprouts to poke out soon.
I plan on putting these out the same time as the cabbage and broccoli. With luck we will have a some early spring harvest of vegetables.
Check back for more updates.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Cabbage
January 28, 2012 -
I started my spring vegetables already and have included two types of cabbage. I am planting Copenhagen Early Market and Ferry's Round Dutch. I do not have much of a history on these yet, but when I get it I will include it here.
I started these guys about 12 weeks before my average last frost utilizing some re-purposed toilet paper rolls. So far, these have worked great. All the seeds have sprouted except one of the Ferry's Round Dutch (I accidentally knocked this one over and had to replant). The kids are really liking this one and hopefully it will give us some good cabbage heads to prepare. I have 6 of each type going. Because I can space it out, I will probably do a second planting of these for the spring as well. Hopefully I will have some pictures to attach tomorrow.
I started my spring vegetables already and have included two types of cabbage. I am planting Copenhagen Early Market and Ferry's Round Dutch. I do not have much of a history on these yet, but when I get it I will include it here.
I started these guys about 12 weeks before my average last frost utilizing some re-purposed toilet paper rolls. So far, these have worked great. All the seeds have sprouted except one of the Ferry's Round Dutch (I accidentally knocked this one over and had to replant). The kids are really liking this one and hopefully it will give us some good cabbage heads to prepare. I have 6 of each type going. Because I can space it out, I will probably do a second planting of these for the spring as well. Hopefully I will have some pictures to attach tomorrow.
Broccoli - Green Goliath
January 28, 2012 -
Earlier this month, I started my spring vegetables. Among these were Green Goliath Broccoli. Last year, Abby really enjoyed the Packman Broccoli we planted from Bonnie Plants. This year I plan on expanding. I had some seeds of this variety from 2007 and some from 2011 that I did not plant. I started both of these lots this year using my re-purposed toilet paper rolls. (More pictures on that to follow.)
I planted these a little over a week ago. To my amazement, I have sprouts from the all the 2007 seeds. Only 1 so far of the 2011 lot has sprouted. The average last frost in my area is the first week of April. I started these guys indoors 12 weeks before this date. The kids are very excited about the little seedlings popping up. With luck I can put these guys out the first week of March and enjoy some tasty broccoli.
I am also planning on trying some De Cicco Broccoli also this year. I will start those seeds next week.
Keep posting.
Earlier this month, I started my spring vegetables. Among these were Green Goliath Broccoli. Last year, Abby really enjoyed the Packman Broccoli we planted from Bonnie Plants. This year I plan on expanding. I had some seeds of this variety from 2007 and some from 2011 that I did not plant. I started both of these lots this year using my re-purposed toilet paper rolls. (More pictures on that to follow.)
I planted these a little over a week ago. To my amazement, I have sprouts from the all the 2007 seeds. Only 1 so far of the 2011 lot has sprouted. The average last frost in my area is the first week of April. I started these guys indoors 12 weeks before this date. The kids are very excited about the little seedlings popping up. With luck I can put these guys out the first week of March and enjoy some tasty broccoli.
I am also planning on trying some De Cicco Broccoli also this year. I will start those seeds next week.
Keep posting.
January 28, 2012 - Garlic Update
January 28, 2012 -
This morning I noticed that the garlic that we planted early this month is sprouting up. If these do well, we will have 18 garlic bulbs by fall. I am shocked that these came up so fast, but there they were this morning with little green shoots poking through the ground.
It appeared that most of the 12 gloves we planted were all popping up but I will have to check tomorrow. I plan on putting pictures up of the garlic we I check them tomorrow.
It is kind of amazing though to see the price of garlic in the stores. It was $3 a bulb last I checked. I caught some bulbs on sale for $0.99 and planted them, now I will have approximately $54 worth of garlic.
This morning I noticed that the garlic that we planted early this month is sprouting up. If these do well, we will have 18 garlic bulbs by fall. I am shocked that these came up so fast, but there they were this morning with little green shoots poking through the ground.
It appeared that most of the 12 gloves we planted were all popping up but I will have to check tomorrow. I plan on putting pictures up of the garlic we I check them tomorrow.
It is kind of amazing though to see the price of garlic in the stores. It was $3 a bulb last I checked. I caught some bulbs on sale for $0.99 and planted them, now I will have approximately $54 worth of garlic.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
2012 is here! Time to start planning
Just a small update. There will be more garlic for the Delks this coming year. I planted 12 more garlic cloves on Sunday (1/8/2012). This was in addition to the 6 that are still happily growing despite the winter weather. These add ons are supposed to pop up in the spring, so we will see what happens. It is neat though that this grew from store bought garlic.
I will be doing another post soon on my spring early vegetables I plan on putting out. Stay posted. 2012 looks like a bigger year.
Joe
I will be doing another post soon on my spring early vegetables I plan on putting out. Stay posted. 2012 looks like a bigger year.
Joe
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