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Spicy Chicken's MMXII Grow Log (The Hot Spot Pepper Shack)

Hello everyone!

Planting seeds is still a couple of weeks away yet but thought I would start out with an introduction and let you know a little bit about our place we call The Hot Spot or should I say what others call it, I call it a garden. ;)



Here is a little bit about our hobby farm and how we turned what once was an old abandon farm into our favorite place to be.

This is a family oriented hobby farm located in Northeastern Wisconsin. The farm is about elevan acres in size but we are utilizing only a small portion for the garden. Even though our growing time is short we use every day given to produce some of the best peppers in the state.

We have lived here since 2002 and our garden is just a smidge over 1/2 acre. As each year has passed the pepper garden has grown. Our garden for the year of 2010 had just over 1000 pepper seedlings planted, 2011 2000. Although no herbicides, pesticides, or chemical fertilizers are used, we are not organically certified and do not claim to be.

The compost that is integrated into the soil is procured from a large organic dairy farm a few miles from our home. The soil is sifted and mixed with the compost to create raised, plastic mulch covered beds, thus giving us the ability to control soil heat, moisture and weeds. As the plant grows, we denude the early buds, giving plants time to become strong and resilient.

After the first denuding, plants are then allowed to grow into a nice leafy foliage that produces great tasting peppers we are happy to be able to share with others.

From our family to yours, Thank you!




I am in the midst of building a grow room with a second story green house where this year I will be able to start the plants. Some of you may have seen the tread in Grow Tech category, might be interesting if you’re ever bored. http://www.thehotpepper.com/topic/23974-spicy-chickens-grow-room-and-greenhouse-makeover/f

Worked very hard at it last summer, my wife calls it The Pepper Shack.

A couple of before and after pics.


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As you can see I have a long way to go, but at least I will be able to start the seeds in there, really looking forward to that.

More to come. thanks for looking! SC
 
Sweet-ass pornage your wife took there, Jeff! And your bad-ass growing skills (amongst many other skills) never fail to blow me away! :cool:
 
Just a couple of pics I took today. Changed out the growing area and turned it back into the drying area.

This season is starting to scare me a little, the walk through today shows me 10's of thousands of chili's, I hope they don't all ripen at once.


Starting to look like cupcakes with lots of hot frosting. lol

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Half way though the season and plants are kicking into High gear. WooHoo

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One side of the main garden #2, Tomato plants are just over five feet tall and show no signs of stopping, the broccoli has heads 8 inches across already; time to buy another freezer. the corn is tasseling out so 3 to 4 weeks we should have some fresh corn.

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And the other side of the corn, garden is where all the left over chili plants went, they look rather small next to the corn but respectable size and a huge amount of pods.

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I have and empty chair, any volunteers?

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Thanks for all the kind words! - Jeff
 
Man I would gladly spend a few weeks helping you out if I could get there just to pick your brain a bit! Great stuff Jeff! Can't wait for the big harvest shots.
 
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