stickman said:
I wonder if you have Hinkley Oaks... they're supposed to like soil with lots of limestone in it, but they're also supposed to only grow in Presidio and Brewster counties and across the border in Mexico.
Adding lots of humus is about the only thing you can do to lower the pH, so you're already on that track... If you can get your hands on acidic mulches like deciduous Oak leaves or Pine needles, that should speed things up a little. You can also get bottles of Humic acid to add to the water when you fertilize. It might be something to try if you are expanding your garden and breaking in new ground.
How are the plants doing under your low row cover? I would guess that with the added warmth and sunlight they're growing faster than the ones you're keeping inside under lights.
None here Rick, just the Live Oaks. They're really cool, about this time of year the leaves which they held all winter, start to turn from green to brown. As they fall the trees are flowering in a golden, green, then behind that the new leaves appear.
Actually since I put the plants in the garden I've had all the ones in the larger pots outside. We've been having spring weather the last 10 days. The ones outside are outperforming the solo cup gals under the lights. Just can't beat the natural light ma nature provides. In answer to your question they are doing fine, I haven't had to close the sides up since I planted. Today 5 more tomatoes and 4 peppers went in the dirt, as I setup the second hoop house. I'll put the plastic up tomorrow, I ran out of gas today...LOL
Expand my garden? Right now I can't afford it, nor do I have the time. Actually I over produce and give a lot away, which is cool, being from a blue collar background, I make sure the maintenance and custodial crews get their full first
I have a sticky on the screen to check the PH in the garden, I need to do this really soon.
Jeff H said:
Nice sat pick Scott. You could really fill that place up with peppers. That would surely be a hoot.
Rick brings up a real good point with the acid.
I did an experiment earlier in my glog that seemed to show that the pH of the soil is tempered by the pH of the water. A little acid to get the pH down to 6 or so would surely help lower the pH of the entire garden over time.
Thanks Jeff,
The GPS search blew me away. I already knew GPS was accurate. Back in the late 90's before Onstar was a factory installed product I installed the systems at the dealer; when I called in to check the system performance they always knew within 3 feet of where I was making the test. Now you know how those smart missiles hit the target....
I wish I had the $$$ and time, along with the water to plant more. You know what grows here like crazy and needs zero water once established? Rosemary. I should look into how to market it, and plant it like crazy. I wonder if I could make some $$ doing that?
stc3248 said:
Great looking aerial thanks Google! Sounds like you're getting it knocked out. I feel your pain. A Ditch Witch would've been a big help...but just more money shelled out. Can't wait to see how the garden is coming along.
Thanks Shane,
Their site is really cool. I could have rented the ditch witch, but you know, I sit at a desk these days. I need the exercise, we all do, and it makes me feel alive to do grunt work. I spoke with my Dad last Sunday, I was swapping between digging and hoeing to keep from getting too sore in one part of the body. Had been at it about an hour, and ran back to the house to get the phone, breathing a little. Dad asked and I explained. He said "When we hang up, I want you to pull out your birth certificate and read the year you were born in".
I rolled, Dad never did what I call physical work past his 30's, certainly not what I do here. So he just doesn't know.
So just as I started putting together an update the tornado blew in, an hour early. Tim his wife and the 4 G-kids. Lets just say things are a bit noisy, but fun here
Here's a few quick pics:
Maters under the hoop house.
Peppers, not the best shot, but as I said guests arrived.
New hoop house minus the plastic, tomorrow that comes.
Planted a Choc Hab, MoA, Jigsaw, and a Jay's Red Ghost Scorp. Plus the 5 tomato plants.
Tomorrow should bring a more meaningful update!
