glog JAB FARMS to GLOG again (hopefully better than '24!)

Ok, the craziness has started at JAB FARM! I had fun posting last year so will attempt to do again with better updates as we go. I know we picked well over 20,000 peppers last year and think with the fertilizing schedule I worked with last season, I think we can do more

 

[JAB Farms]

Here is '25 Grow list...

 

[JAB Farms]

And the craziness has begun. All Peppers are started! 27 trays of 48 (only 1296 peppers - lol) Perhaps I need to start more

 

[JAB Farms]

backup shelving with lights setup in garage for once I get to transplanting... and neighbor had a friend who was tossing a 6x6x12 greenhouse they were tossing out. So now we have our 10x20 and this one to help once we get outside. (yes, it has a new cover!) We just need to find the best spot to put it! (Won't be here).

 

[JAB Farms]

I look forward to updating going forward!!!

 

[NJChilehead]

I look forward to updating going forward!!!

Hey @JAB Farms that's a great looking list! Looking forward to seeing how your season goes along the way!

 

[JAB Farms]

It has been too long. I've been busier than hell with work and now back to working days! In my "spare time" lol - I have been transplanting and have some updates (with many more to come soon). All the peppers have been transplanted from the trays to 3+" peat/plastic pots. 1202 total. Yes. Wish I was kidding. Of the 1296 I started, 1202 are transplanted and happy (so far). So the missing 94 to complete my mission of all seeds germinate For some reason the Joe Cayenne's didn't grow AT ALL. And I started over 60. The Big Thai's grew but since I had to go elsewhere as Burpee didn't have for some reason, what I got - I could not trust (see pic below) - and I dumped the 48 I had started. I mean come on, tomato's in there? WTF. Not ordering from there again. Big Thai is a hybrid and I should have known better... but when ordered I had hoped it was someone with actual packets of sealed seeds... and it was not. Live and learn. But when I plant a row or two of something, I want to know I have what I planted!

 

[JAB Farms]

So we spent today tilling garden (Lime and Gypsum added) and then clover seeds (since I have about month before considering planting). We also cleaned out the greenhouse and are ready for start to fill that... I did move about 8 trays out there today and turned heaters on (pics to come). In meantime, things are growing well and I'm onto the last 3 trays of tomatoes to transplant. OMG.

 

[JAB Farms]

Question for all of you... If you grow in containers, (i have tons and use buckets for Superhots and others as well) - what do you use for soil in them? I've had great success with Miracle grow Garden soil (organic) and MG Organic container mix... and last year made my own mix or Peat Moss, Vermiculite, Perlite and Compost.. but am curious if anyone has used straight up Compost? We can get lots of that for much cheaper - I'm just curious if I go that route - what issues might I run into. Plus, if i did, I think I'd still mix in Perlite and Vermiculite just to keep it from being too dense... so who has done? Success? Or too many problems?

 

[JAB Farms]

I hope all are doing well and I hope to catch up on other growers Glogs in next couple days. Will post more pictured in coming days!!

 

[Marturo]

Question for all of you... If you grow in containers, (i have tons and use buckets for Superhots and others as well) - what do you use for soil in them? I've had great success with Miracle grow Garden soil (organic) and MG Organic container mix... and last year made my own mix or Peat Moss, Vermiculite, Perlite and Compost.. but am curious if anyone has used straight up Compost? We can get lots of that for much cheaper - I'm just curious if I go that route - what issues might I run into. Plus, if i did, I think I'd still mix in Perlite and Vermiculite just to keep it from being too dense... so who has done? Success? Or too many problems?

We use Coco coir in place of peat.
Worm castings, pearlite, blood meal, bone meal & Espoma Plant tone. That's it we have been using this for years now.

 

[ahayastani]

but am curious if anyone has used straight up Compost?

Not a good idea for containers. You should use something that allows good drainage - peat moss or coco coir, as Marturo comments, and add compost to the container mix (~10%). Especially in hot climates, pure compost as container mix will compact and can become as hard as brick.

 

[CaneDog]

I like your homemade mix you mention. I've used a similar base often, typically with some other amendments along the lines of what Marturo mentions. In my experience, composts can vary a lot in their composition. I've used higher concentrations in some mixes, even 30% - 40%, thought when I've done so I've considered the porosity, maturity, and retention qualities of the compost and overall mix as to the risks of it being too hot or choking the roots. Also, we have dry, moderate summers here, which mitigates some concerns. In recent seasons it's become much harder to get quality mature compost in my area (demand > supply means not waiting for it properly mature, I assume), which means I'm using less of it and looking to other means to fortify my base mixes.

 

[NJChilehead]

Question for all of you... If you grow in containers, (i have tons and use buckets for Superhots and others as well) - what do you use for soil in them? I've had great success with Miracle grow Garden soil (organic) and MG Organic container mix... and last year made my own mix or Peat Moss, Vermiculite, Perlite and Compost.. but am curious if anyone has used straight up Compost? We can get lots of that for much cheaper - I'm just curious if I go that route - what issues might I run into. Plus, if i did, I think I'd still mix in Perlite and Vermiculite just to keep it from being too dense... so who has done? Success? Or too many problems?

My mix is about 60% of a good peat-perlite based potting soil (like Espoma organic potting mix) and 40% compost, plus appropriate proportions of worm castings, Espoma Tomato Tone, and some pine bark mini nuggets if I have them. I realize that this can get pricey, but you could re-use peat based potting soil a few times if you re-introduce the amendments, I think you'd be okay with mix of about 50% reused soil, 40-45% compost, and a mix of worm castings, pine bark minis and Espoma Tomato or Garden Tone.

If trying to save money, I'd bet that local tree companies might be able to take care of getting you some wood chips to mix in as well in small amounts per batch of soil. With the wood chips, just be aware that they'll draw a small amount of nitrogen from the soil as they decompose, plus you'd want to screen them, and of course you want them to be from a clean reputable source.

 

[JAB Farms]

My mix is about 60% of a good peat-perlite based potting soil (like Espoma organic potting mix) and 40% compost, plus appropriate proportions of worm castings, Espoma Tomato Tone, and some pine bark mini nuggets if I have them. I realize that this can get pricey, but you could re-use peat based potting soil a few times if you re-introduce the amendments, I think you'd be okay with mix of about 50% reused soil, 40-45% compost, and a mix of worm castings, pine bark minis and Espoma Tomato or Garden Tone.

If trying to save money, I'd bet that local tree companies might be able to take care of getting you some wood chips to mix in as well in small amounts per batch of soil. With the wood chips, just be aware that they'll draw a small amount of nitrogen from the soil as they decompose, plus you'd want to screen them, and of course you want them to be from a clean reputable source.

This is what I was thinking. I appreciate all the comments. I know the compost we get, is dense when wet... so, didn't think ideal, but was curious what everyone else had luck with. I had pretty good success last year with a peat, perlite, vermiculite, compost mix for sure. I did for the first time bring in bone meal which i hadn't done EVER too. So, I hope to continue that and maybe find the right way forward for our garden/buckets going forward!

 

[JAB Farms]

I like your homemade mix you mention. I've used a similar base often, typically with some other amendments along the lines of what Marturo mentions. In my experience, composts can vary a lot in their composition. I've used higher concentrations in some mixes, even 30% - 40%, thought when I've done so I've considered the porosity, maturity, and retention qualities of the compost and overall mix as to the risks of it being too hot or choking the roots. Also, we have dry, moderate summers here, which mitigates some concerns. In recent seasons it's become much harder to get quality mature compost in my area (demand > supply means not waiting for it properly mature, I assume), which means I'm using less of it and looking to other means to fortify my base mixes.

We use Coco coir in place of peat.
Worm castings, pearlite, blood meal, bone meal & Espoma Plant tone. That's it we have been using this for years now.

Great info Marturo! Thanks. I can't say I've ever used plant tone but know I've seen it (and think my sister even gave me some a couple years back). I'll have to look into for sure. Tomato tone i have used for sure for tom's...

 

[JAB Farms]

I am finally done with the TRANSPLANT HELL. All Peppers and Tomatoes have been transplanted and now onto keeping them happy and thriving until ground is ready. Here are a few pics of what I transplanted last week... I have a lot more, just didn't get pics before lights went off (timer). Also added about 12 trays into Greenhouse already!!! Think that is in line time-wise as usual, but like that I have that rolling now too. Those will thrive and force me to push more out there soon. Dante's (Large Jalapeno's) looking good and of course O. HAB happy too. Datil too! Not normal for them to look this good this early. I'll update tomorrow (i hope) with the superhots and scotch bonnet's that are looking crazy good...

 

[NJChilehead]

I am finally done with the TRANSPLANT HELL. All Peppers and Tomatoes have been transplanted and now onto keeping them happy and thriving until ground is ready. Here are a few pics of what I transplanted last week... I have a lot more, just didn't get pics before lights went off (timer). Also added about 12 trays into Greenhouse already!!! Think that is in line time-wise as usual, but like that I have that rolling now too. Those will thrive and force me to push more out there soon. Dante's (Large Jalapeno's) looking good and of course O. HAB happy too. Datil too! Not normal for them to look this good this early. I'll update tomorrow (i hope) with the superhots and scotch bonnet's that are looking crazy good...

Looking good!!

 

[ZanderSpice]

I am finally done with the TRANSPLANT HELL. All Peppers and Tomatoes have been transplanted and now onto keeping them happy and thriving until ground is ready. Here are a few pics of what I transplanted last week... I have a lot more, just didn't get pics before lights went off (timer). Also added about 12 trays into Greenhouse already!!! Think that is in line time-wise as usual, but like that I have that rolling now too. Those will thrive and force me to push more out there soon. Dante's (Large Jalapeno's) looking good and of course O. HAB happy too. Datil too! Not normal for them to look this good this early. I'll update tomorrow (i hope) with the superhots and scotch bonnet's that are looking crazy good...

Looking good! What do you do when it's time to water?

 

[JAB Farms]

Looking good! What do you do when it's time to water?

We have 6 rain barrels and we keep water in milk jugs (think we have about 30 currently)... I fill the bottom of the trays when its time. They get natural water vs over chlorine water.