Devv's 2015 - 16, Life is good!

Well here we go again!
 
I just got finished planting seeds for 70 plants. Scaling back a bit this year; last year was a lot of work! That and I have to do more than garden this season
 
My apologies as I can't remember shit where I got all the seeds from. Some were harvested from pods some I saved, and some were sent to me. I can say this 99% originated from the most generous THP members!
 
Without further ado, here's the 2015 list:
 
Red 7 Pot Lava: Mikey
Black Thai        : Mikey
Yellow Jonah  : Mikey
Jack’s Choc Superhot: Mikey
Red Bhutlah   : Mikey
Tepin x Lemmon drop
Pimenta Lisa : Stefan
Brazilian Starfish
Bell
Poblano
Billy Biker
Jalapeno
Jimmy Nardello
Bishops Crown
Sweet Hungarian Paprika
Bahamian Goat
Urfa Biber
Jelly Bean White Hab
Jigsaw
Nagabrain F4
Numex Jalamundo
Cream Fatalii
Isabella Island Hab: Jim
Cherry Bomb: Jim
Moa
Kurt’s
JA Habs
White Bhut
Anaheim
Jigsaw
Burgundy
Ma Wiri wiri: Jim
Pepperdew: Jim
Pimenta De Padron: Jim
Wild tepin: Jim
Jigsaw
Six secrets from Stefan
Orange Primo: Mikey
Choc Bhutlah
Scotch Bonnet x Indian Red
Red Lava: Mikey
White Hab
Naga King: Rick
BOC: Rick
 
I leaned more towards peppers my wife can eat. After all she helped me quite a bit, I might as well grow some for her
 
Last season was a challenge regarding what was what. I eventually figured them out, but was not happy with the confusion. And yeah, I'm easily confused.
 
Here's a pic of the 70 starters:
 

 
Trying something different, the Jiffy's are numbered and will be entered into a spreadsheet. As they pop, they will go into the solo cups with permanent marker to label them.
 
This year I'm starting things in the converted hunting room (man cave?). LB wanted the extra bedroom back   The room is part of the shop; 24x8 and insulated. It's been rather nasty for the last 4 or 5 days, damp and temps below 52°, but it was 68° in there a few minutes ago. Also I'm trying a heating mat to help with germination, which was abysmal IMHO last year.
 
Anyone who knows how I fly, knows I like to grow in the dirt. I have a few in containers from last season, but they just don't do as well.
 
I put a ton (literally) of work into the soil since the start of last season.
 
I feel soil preparation is the key to success:
 

 

 
I tilled in over 24 yards of RCW and 10 yards of shredded leaves after pulling the plants in the fall.
 

 
I then planted Crimson Clover and Rye as a cover crop, this pic is from 2 weeks ago..
 

 
The area I planted the cover crop in is 2,300 to 2,500 square feet. Half is framed for sunshade. A must in the 100% summer sun the garden gets. There's some Comfrey of the left
 

 

 
Dec. 6th I tilled in the whole shootin' match. I waited too long. But I do like it when it darkens up. This is what it looks like after 2 2" deep passes. If you wait too long the roots form a sod, this makes for a bad day of tilling. I got this far and decided to call it. Shiner time!

Once I'm sure most is dead and wont come back when I water crop 2 goes in.
 

 
On 12-10

The grass on top has dried, and rain is forecast through Sunday (yeah right), so I tilled again. It brought up the grass from below and now the garden looks like last Sunday. I went a couple of notches deeper this time to break up more of the roots. I spread rye seed and watered for 45 minutes. It should come up quickly as the weather is warm for a week or more. 50's-70's.
 

 
This is the garden today, the second cover crop is just coming up. And I have to prep an area for onions, which hit the dirt January 15th. The rest gets tilled in at the end of the month.
 
I fly out of here tomorrow afternoon, and won't be back until a week from now. So I'd like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!
 

 

[Trident chilli]

As Andy said .... great looking car neatly polished .... great garden all that space and two great dogs ... good health to you

 

[Devv]

Hey Scott,
Glad you are doing well and got such a great start to your garden. Hope you have a great year! Oh, and here's my pepper guardian last season trying not to trample some habs and tomatoes I had planted in from of the house.
 

 
 
These dog were bred for hog and cattle working the 1800's, and need room to run. I got 2 so they would play together and not get bored. Super smart and always sparring with each other. Great watch dogs, these are the kind of dog that once they are adults, any new comers will not be allowed on the place unless I escort them. So we socialized them with all of our family. A must out here in the boonies where we don't want strangers on our place.
 

Hey Scott,
Glad you are doing well and got such a great start to your garden. Hope you have a great year! Oh, and here's my pepper guardian last season trying not to trample some habs and tomatoes I had planted in from of the house.
 

 
Hi Peter,
 
Does he/she "help"? Mine are fenced out of the garden, and have learned when the gates open they are not to enter, at least when we're in there. If I forget and leave the gate open, well the contents are fair game (to them) LOL
 

Great pics. Nice garden and ride but awsome dogs!

 
Thanks Nulle!
 
I love those dogs to death, they are sweet and have all the characteristics I want in a dog. But they sure can eat!
 

Awesome to see you up and at'hem Scott!! Best of luck and health (and driving )for the start (and finish) of the new season ... Can't wait to watch and learn ...

 
Thanks!
 
I'm looking forward to a good season!
Health is good, been real busy catching up for sure..
 

Beautiful car, beautiful garden, beautiful dogs! Nice update.  
 
I love the way your garden is set up!  What are the trees you have back there under the woodchips?

 
Thanks Andy!
 
The one in the foreground is a Peach and the other two are Peach and Pear. We have 14 Peach trees and 4 Pear spread out on our place.

 

[Devv]

As Andy said .... great looking car neatly polished .... great garden all that space and two great dogs ... good health to you

 
Thanks!
 
That garden is 27 years of off and on work. It's finally very close to where I want it...
 
That car will never see a wet road unless I get caught in a shower. Dang it's hard to keep clean! I use a swiffer duster to wipe the dust off, so I don't have to wash it so often. That gal is a beast! I call her the "Black Widow"

 

[Peter S]

Hi Peter,
 
Does he/she "help"? Mine are fenced out of the garden, and have learned when the gates open they are not to enter, at least when we're in there. If I forget and leave the gate open, well the contents are fair game (to them) LOL

He's great around family and people he knows, but anyone else he goes full on Cujo. We have to keep him put up if someone's over, muzzle him for the vet, etc... He's a great family dog though. As far as garden, helps himself to tomatoes off the vine. I have to watch him cause he'll strip a plant done in a few minutes. lol.

 

[PaulG]

Hey, Scott, good to see you up and running this season.
 
I hope you will do a little bit of a grow log as the season progresses.
 
Garden looks great.  So does your ride!

 

[OCD Chilehead]

Glad to see your back at it Scott.

Most important your health has improved.

Take care and enjoy life.

Nice car, pups, and garden.

Chuck

 

[Devv]

Hey, Scott, good to see you up and running this season.
 
I hope you will do a little bit of a grow log as the season progresses.
 
Garden looks great.  So does your ride!

 
Thanks Paul!
 
I said I wasn't going to do a glog this year due to the time it takes, but heck it's just too much fun. So instead of a new one I'll just tag on to the old one, as it never did anything...or maybe it was me...LOL
 
 

Glad to see your back at it Scott.

Most important your health has improved.

Take care and enjoy life.

Nice car, pups, and garden.

Chuck

 
Thanks Chuck!
 
My health is good, I stick with the program and I'm better each day, now it's stamina I'm working on.
 
I made some changes. Time to slow it down, if that's at all possible....I sold my cows, and the cattle trailer. I'm tired of chasing cows that knock down 5 wire fences, cuz they want to join a larger herd. I now lease my land to the guy who leases the 200 acres East of us. One less issue for me
 
I used the $$$ from the trailer to buy a 16' footer that I can drive the tractor on to unload the mulch I get free from the county.
 

 
Each load is about 6yds, so far 7 loads this winter.
 
Most of this load went to the fruit trees.
 

 
I've been shredding it down with the chipper shredder. The smaller pile is what 3yds crunched down to.
 

 
The mulch is mas mature as shown. It's been composting for over 4 years at the county site.
 
We had a mini spring break this year. Got a lot done, but I'm only good from sunup to 2 or 3 pm before I'm wiped out. As I said, I'm working on the stamina thang
 
I need to take some pics, but I got a few more peppers in the dirt (the store bought), and the last of the maters. LB made up the cages, using shipping paper to hide the pepper plants from whatever has been eating them. I have a bunch of too young yet to plant peppers hardening off, and I'm out of cages. I'm really worried about setting them out, that they may get eaten. I'm thinking a moat here now...LOL
 
Something is lurking about here that eats our trees and potted plants. I need to take pics, but whatever this thing is it has eaten the small branches off a Peach tree, several young Crepe Myrtle's, and all of my OW peppers. No waste, the plants are cut up and the branches are gone. A first for me here after 27 years of living out here.
 
Edit:
 
I almost forgot..
 

 
My 5th G-kid, born 1-19-2016, Charlytte

 

[tctenten]

Beautiful picture.  Congratulations!
 
I am glad to see that you will keep us posted on what is going on in your garden.  Best of luck!

 

[Roguejim]

You're back, and we're watching!
Those dogs are stunners.  Of course, grand baby leaves them in the dust.  I imagine you haven't stopped counting your blessings, yet?  Funny how a serious set-back puts everything in a new light.  I hope that rcw bed is as successful as Windchicken's.  That would save you some work.  Did you get a chance to try any chicharron in Puerto Rico?  Good success to you, Scott.  Save some time for that smoker, too.

 

[OCD Chilehead]

Sounds like you found a program my friend.

That mulch is gold.

Goat? Deer? Whatever it is, I'm sure it's edible.

Precious little one. Congrats.

My son is what gets me going everyday.

Thanks for sharing

 

[Sawyer]

So many good things happening here, Scott, I wouldn't know where to start, so I'll just say congratulations on all of it. 
 
Hope you find what's been eating your plants.  I imagine the dogs would take care of something like a woodchuck, right? 

 

[Pulpiteer]

Congratulations!  What a beautiful picture of your grand baby!  
 
I love that mulch too.  Looks like quite a score.

 

[tsurrie]

What a big mulch pile... great glog man, you've got a lot going on.
 
Beautiful g-kid Scott. Congratulations!

 

[Blister]

Wow even when you scale back you still go big! Best of luck to you this year and enjoy the new addition to the family.

Neil

 

[Devv]

Beautiful picture.  Congratulations!
 
I am glad to see that you will keep us posted on what is going on in your garden.  Best of luck!

 Thanks Terry!
 
Shes a blessing and such a good baby! I wish ours were as happy as she is when they were that age. Truly blessed, my kids and their kids are all healthy and happy, I can't ask for anything else
 

You're back, and we're watching!
Those dogs are stunners.  Of course, grand baby leaves them in the dust.  I imagine you haven't stopped counting your blessings, yet?  Funny how a serious set-back puts everything in a new light.  I hope that rcw bed is as successful as Windchicken's.  That would save you some work.  Did you get a chance to try any chicharron in Puerto Rico?  Good success to you, Scott.  Save some time for that smoker, too.

 Hi Jim!
 
Yes! I haven't the time to do a glog justice this year. Losing 6 months seems to take 12 to catch up. I love those pups, they keep me young just watching them romp. And Charlytte is a jewel! The RCW is for next season. I wanted to do it last year, but breathing got in the way...LOL
PR was fun, didn't have time to try much local cuisine. I just had 5 days, because I used 25 last year while I was down.
 
Thanks for the well wishes!
 

Sounds like you found a program my friend.

That mulch is gold.

Goat? Deer? Whatever it is, I'm sure it's edible.

Precious little one. Congrats.

My son is what gets me going everyday.

Thanks for sharing

 Hi Chuck!
 
Yes sir the kids are our life for sure. All we can ask for is that they do better than we did.
 
Thanks for stopping by
 

So many good things happening here, Scott, I wouldn't know where to start, so I'll just say congratulations on all of it. 
 
Hope you find what's been eating your plants.  I imagine the dogs would take care of something like a woodchuck, right? 

 Hi John!
 
It's good to be back! I stayed away trying to get back into life again and really missed the fun here. What ever it was it retreated under the pool deck, so I pulled up the fence and made sure the rat terrier could have access. They love to catch just anything. I think it moved on. I think a small rabbit squeezed into the garden to get the peppers last week. The garden is fenced from the dogs, they love to "help" You know how that goes...
 

Congratulations!  What a beautiful picture of your grand baby!  
 
I love that mulch too.  Looks like quite a score.

 
 Thanks Andy!
 
Thanks on the pic of "Charly", the cool thing is currently they live about 2 miles from us, and I just gave them an acre to build on, on our mini ranch.
 
I feel kind of guilty getting 42 yards from the pile, but what the heck, it's free
 

What a big mulch pile... great glog man, you've got a lot going on.
 
Beautiful g-kid Scott. Congratulations!

 Thanks Uros!
 
Just loving that baby
 

Wow even when you scale back you still go big! Best of luck to you this year and enjoy the new addition to the family.

Neil

 Thanks Neil!
 
I just can't help myself, sitting still is just not me. and IHMO it keeps one young
 
So tonight is a bad weather night, it may well hail. My fingers are crossed!
 
The last storm (March 9th) killed my 2 year old hot rod laptop I used my work laptop to get me through until my new one came in. Lucky for me the hard drive survived and I was able to migrate all the data.
 
The garden is doing really well and I hope to have some nice pics to upload tomorrow. Praying for no hail, my son is 1.5 hours away and it's marble sized at his place.
 
Thanks for stopping by, 'yall are the best!
 
Scott

 

[Devv]

Freaky cold front for March, been in the low 40's and frost was a worry this morning and again tomorrow. I run the wobblers until I see light.
 
So the baby's are getting close, but with the cold...maybe a few tomorrow:
 

 
In the mean time we mulched between the rows, LB helped big time!
 

 

 
The remaining space on the left is for the peppers. The existing peppers are 'just a hangin'.
 
I'm wondering if I should wait 2 weeks longer next year to put the peppers in, as they just sit for 30 days....

 

[Blister]

We're having an odd year here too. Snow is gone almost a month early. We're still having frosty mornings and dropping below 0c though. Everytime I look outside I think I'm way behind, but then I remember that my plant out date isn't until the 3rd week of may.

Fingers crossed for all.

Neil

 

[Sawyer]

Looking good, Scott.  It won't be long now. 

 

[meatfreak]

Congrats with the newest family addition, Scott! Garden looks lush again 

 

[Devv]

We're having an odd year here too. Snow is gone almost a month early. We're still having frosty mornings and dropping below 0c though. Everytime I look outside I think I'm way behind, but then I remember that my plant out date isn't until the 3rd week of may.

Fingers crossed for all.

Neil

 Crazy weather, was 38°s here this morning, I turned the wobblers on at 4:40AM, cam back at 8 after the sun was up to shut them off. It was a close call, it frosted in town, I wasn't taking any chances. No frost here. Now the garden is so wet I have to wait a few days to plant the larger babies. Probably a good thing, they're sure to do better in the solos. Warming up to normal again as per the 10 day The ground should be nice and warm, the pool water sure is!
 
 

Looking good, Scott.  It won't be long now. 

 
Thanks John!
 
Everything but the peppers are full steam ahead. I haven't taken any pics, but the strawberries and asparagus have been tasty! So far a good year!
 

Congrats with the newest family addition, Scott! Garden looks lush again 

Thanks Stefan!
 
It's good to be back up and doing what I want to do, last year was a disaster for sure....