Operation Golden Garden 2014: Let's Get Started!

**Instead of starting an entirely new GLOG, I decided to tack 2014 on to the end of this one. So if you have already went through 2013's grow, just jump ahead to page 40.**
 
Before you go on, I would recommend you grab a beer or something else stiff to drink.  If you didnt follow my grow last time around, I have the tendency to go on, and on, and on, and on.  Also, I may not be the most "PC" out of the group, so if you are looking for clean language, on topic discussion, and general 'niceness', I am sure that I can point you in the right direction.
 
Ok, now that we got that out of the way....I AM STARTING A FREAKIN GROW LOG!  A quick bit of back story. Since I spent more time in high school partying than studying, I didn't have much of a choice following graduation. I decided to enlist in the Marines (there really isnt another choice) and now here I am 8 years and 5 deployments later.  This last go around I left the first few days of September and just got back yesterday (9 months for all the other 'non studying' folk).  As most of you know, if you want some bangin pepper plants, you need to start early, and May 25th aint early.  So right before I left I cut everything back and prayed to the pepper gods that my plants would make it through winter so I could have something to come home to.  Up until yesterday I thought that they were just taking time to put on some green, but when I walked through the fence to see my dogs, a ritual that I typically do after every deployment, I realized that the plants were not there and instead was four trays of new plants just waiting for planting.
 
Note:  IPhones are not the world's leading video recording devices.  And as a result, I may not be easily heard.  Dont worry, I didn't have much to say initially anyways, I was just a bit more surprised than anything.
 

 
For someone who seems to always talk a bit too much, I didnt have much to say initially.  I was freaking out inside and didnt know if my wife got them or what.  When she told me that the guys from THP did it, i was blown away.  You gotta understand, over the past 9 months Bill (RocketMan) organized a "Operation Hot Sauce" care package rotation for me and my guys.  A bunch of members here chipped in and sent packages of sauces, powders, peppers, and other treats to help make this deployment a bit more enjoyable.  To hear that they ALSO chipped in and GAVE ME A GROWING SEASON pretty much put me over the edge.  I know that I already messaged you guys but I wanna thank RocketMan, Coheed196, Romy6, KingDenniz, Silver_Surfer, STC3248, DesertChris, Sanarda, MuskyMojo, Pulpeteer, WalkGood, DocNRock. Stickman, Annie57, Pic 1, Pr0digal_Son, Jamison, Spicy Chicken, HighHalt, Fremp, SethSquach, 3/5 King, Patrick, Bigoldude again for helping make this happen for me.  And although giving me a garden was WAY MORE THAN ENOUGH, they also gave me a little sumpin sumpin that will help out picking up the last minute things that I need to make sure I have everything I need for the season!
 
So this morning, I got up early because I am still on Afghanistan time, cooked breakfast, and then after the family ate we went out to the garden to plant everything. 
 

 
 
The Peppers:
7 Pot
7 Pot Douglah
7 Pot Yellow
Aji Colorado
Bhut Jolokia
Bhut Jolokia Assam
Bhut Jolokia Yellow
Bonda ma Jaques
Cobra
Congo Trinidad
Fatalii
Jamaican Hot Chocolate
Lemon Drop
Marconi Giant Hybrid
TSMB 
TSMB Yellow
Naga Morich
Safi Red
Trinidad Scorpion
West Indian Red
 
Maters:
Black Krim
Black Pear
 
Oh, and did I tell you that THERE ARE 3 EACH?!?
 
Gettin to work tilling the rows a bit


 
The wife givin me a hand

 
The kiddo givin me a hand

 
Rows Complete

 
And Peppers in the ground!

 
Some goodies from Bill, Jeff and Bonnie (Bill also has goodies in the fridge )

 
Parting Shot

 

 

[MGOLD86]

Nice looking pics! I especially like the pic of the Douglah that you can see the main stalk in the background. That thing looks solid.

Thanks!  It is crazy cuz that plant is only like 2 feet tall..
 

Matt, those peppers are looking Righteous! Haven't had a chance to see the Matt's Chats yet but I'll be driving up to Waycross, GA tonight and I'll be listening to them for "In Flight entertainment" 
 
Now that's a good Scotch when you have a few extra dollars but what's you stand by, go to Scotch when it's the end of the month and pay day's still a week off
I've got one for you try, if you can handle it

My favorite everyday type scotch right now is Glenmorangie 10 yr.  It is inexpensive and has exactly what I need for a quick drink. 

 

[WalkGood]

• Nice pod porn, great colors
• Cool garden shot of your in-grounds
• Enjoyed seeing the reviews, not sure how you put yourself thru so much pain but it's good to hear how you think of the taste and burn
• Have a great weekend mon ^_^

 

[Devv]

 
I am planning on doing a good amount of isolation, even to the extent of isolation boxes for a couple dozen plants.  With these numbers I am gonna have to be smart with my growtent setup.  I am thinking a horseshoe setup of shelving, maybe two shelves on each of the three walls with 24" height.  This should allow me to grow for 4 months or so and have room for a light per shelf.  (the wife is gonna kill me!  here are those hidden costs scott!) I am also working a sort of germination chamber so I can germ in a closed environment and move them under lights after they pop! 
 
Anyways, got a lot of grow logs to check up on....

I'm planning on building a grow cabinet, real soon because I want to start seeds November 1st. I want to have to grow shelves that pull out on roller runners, I think the longest ones are 28"s. Also I want to be able to move either the lights or the shelves up or down easily, haven't decided how or which yet. I want the electrics built in and concealed, as well as the fans. I'll only want to grow the plants in this rig until they have three or four true leaves, by then I should be able to start hardening them off as weather allows. I'm thinking the T8's should do fine for the time the babies are going to be in the rig. One thing I'll have to do is make it look good, and have a second use to make the wife happy!

 

[MGOLD86]

 

• Nice pod porn, great colors
• Cool garden shot of your in-grounds
• Enjoyed seeing the reviews, not sure how you put yourself thru so much pain but it's good to hear how you think of the taste and burn
• Have a great weekend mon ^_^

 

 
Thanks Ramon!  I don't know how I do it either, all my friends think I am nutso. 
 

I'm planning on building a grow cabinet, real soon because I want to start seeds November 1st. I want to have to grow shelves that pull out on roller runners, I think the longest ones are 28"s. Also I want to be able to move either the lights or the shelves up or down easily, haven't decided how or which yet. I want the electrics built in and concealed, as well as the fans. I'll only want to grow the plants in this rig until they have three or four true leaves, by then I should be able to start hardening them off as weather allows. I'm thinking the T8's should do fine for the time the babies are going to be in the rig. One thing I'll have to do is make it look good, and have a second use to make the wife happy!

Yea I am torn on how I want to set it up because it is tough because I want something scalable for the different phases before plant out.  They will be in the tent from December to April/May.  I will have to move lights as they grow, and I am just guessing that they will probably stay below 1 foot or so, and then you add in the height of the light, the pot, and lighting clearance, and you need like 24 inches or so.....I also don't know if I wanna go so heavy (with wood) or something pre built because it may not be adaptable.  I will start researching supplies and options soon.  I am gonna spend some time in the weed forums seeing what those dudes use.   

 

[Devv]

 
Thanks Ramon!  I don't know how I do it either, all my friends think I am nutso. 
 
Yea I am torn on how I want to set it up because it is tough because I want something scalable for the different phases before plant out.  They will be in the tent from December to April/May.  I will have to move lights as they grow, and I am just guessing that they will probably stay below 1 foot or so, and then you add in the height of the light, the pot, and lighting clearance, and you need like 24 inches or so.....I also don't know if I wanna go so heavy (with wood) or something pre built because it may not be adaptable.  I will start researching supplies and options soon.  I am gonna spend some time in the weed forums seeing what those dudes use.   

I'd be real interested in what you have to say on this topic....As I've said before, this year was my first grow from seed, and I started way too late, but the fall should provide. Here in Tejas, I can start putting them outside in January  for hardening if the weather is right, and put them in the dirt during March. I want them forking the first time and first flowers at dirt day, versus what I did this year...putting them in the dirt at 4"s high....this is regarding the chinense, the annuum's were started in Jan. and had no issues.

 

[WalkGood]

Thanks Ramon!  I don't know how I do it either, all my friends think I am nutso. ...

Take care my pepper loving brethren, I don't think dat you are nutso and I think you understand know what you are doing .... I see hear when you say “panic mode” that you are aware of any danger…. I just don't want to see you or anyone hurt themselves over something that is supposed to taste great, be fun \o/ and a sensational hobby or business I have seen you suffer which isn't something I enjoy seeing you or anyone go thru except our USA enemies lol

 

[Jamison]

What an awesome list for next year Matt. I started ordering some seeds and writing down strains that I wanna grow next year too. I think I have a couple Rennie seeds if you still are looking. Just PM me if you need em. Might have a couple more as well.

 

[Capsicum Select]

That is some wonderful poddage! The color on those dougies is really nice and I like the first one with the little spikes. I have a bhut that is looking like that but no where near ready to turn color. Those Assams are crazy producers!

I like the ideas for your grow setup. Definitely better to be very detailed and think your way through it before you build it. May want to look into pulleys for the lights since they are pretty cheap. I like Devv's idea with the roller runner shelves too.

 

[MGOLD86]

I'd be real interested in what you have to say on this topic....As I've said before, this year was my first grow from seed, and I started way too late, but the fall should provide. Here in Tejas, I can start putting them outside in January  for hardening if the weather is right, and put them in the dirt during March. I want them forking the first time and first flowers at dirt day, versus what I did this year...putting them in the dirt at 4"s high....this is regarding the chinense, the annuum's were started in Jan. and had no issues.

I sat down and started to measure and do some research and my head already hurts...Right now I have two light sources, and if you remember my fiasco last year I swapped out half way through the season from my HiD to a T5.  In the end, it was a slew of problems that I wasn't really picking up on.
 
My tent is 5x5, and I thought that doing some sort of 2 tier U shaped design with a light over each straight (6 lights total) would work well.  After looking more closely today, that probably won't work.  Since the tent is 5 foot wide, I would need each straight to be 18 inches.  That will give me about a 2'x3.5' walkway.  Yea....probably wont work.  So then I considered cost, and I would need another 5 lights @ 150 a piece...um..no.
 
Right now I am looking into upgrading my HiD to an aircooled light with venting to keep the temps down and avoid burn, and that will mean I only need to get another hood, an inline fan, and some ducting.  That cost will be significantly less. 
 
So I am back to the bench design, and I may do something like I did last go around, just a bit lower to the ground to account for the change and light.  This probably doesn't make sense...it doesn't even make sense to me right now.  lol!
 

Take care my pepper loving brethren, I don't think dat you are nutso and I think you understand know what you are doing .... I see hear when you say “panic mode” that you are aware of any danger…. I just don't want to see you or anyone hurt themselves over something that is supposed to taste great, be fun \o/ and a sensational hobby or business I have seen you suffer which isn't something I enjoy seeing you or anyone go thru except our USA enemies lol

Don't worry Ramon. I will make sure I channel that suffering into something good!
 

What an awesome list for next year Matt. I started ordering some seeds and writing down strains that I wanna grow next year too. I think I have a couple Rennie seeds if you still are looking. Just PM me if you need em. Might have a couple more as well.

Will do, thanks J!
 

That is some wonderful poddage! The color on those dougies is really nice and I like the first one with the little spikes. I have a bhut that is looking like that but no where near ready to turn color. Those Assams are crazy producers!

I like the ideas for your grow setup. Definitely better to be very detailed and think your way through it before you build it. May want to look into pulleys for the lights since they are pretty cheap. I like Devv's idea with the roller runner shelves too.

Funny you should mention the spikey dougies.....
 
I got a few pulleys, and after watching a video or 2 on youtube tonight I realized I have been using them wrong all along!!

 

[KiNGDeNNiZ]

Nice videos Matt. Glad to see you getting pods now. I had a chance to sample that savannah. It's one hot pepper for sure!!' You are an animal and I don't know how you can do all those reviews.

 

[MGOLD86]

Nice videos Matt. Glad to see you getting pods now. I had a chance to sample that savannah. It's one hot pepper for sure!!' You are an animal and I don't know how you can do all those reviews.

Thanks Denniz, it can end up being quite painful! Lol.

 

[stc3248]

Sending a box of love this morning...

 

[MGOLD86]

Sending a box of love this morning...

Gonna be a week. Got a few pkgs comin in and I can already feel the pain of the reviews......

 

[stc3248]

There are a couple in there that I hope to make the "panic mode" list for ya! If not they're still gonna suck. Lol waiting for PO to open.

 

[stickman]

Geez Matt, You've been a busy guy! I finally got caught up on your glog for the moment, but I'm sure that'll change...   You have such an "information rich" glog going, that I have to slow down and read almost every word... can't just skim through.
 
How are you liking the black landscaping fabric mulch you put down on your garden? Do you still need to water as often with it down?
You've got an ambitious grow list for next year, and I'll definitely be checking it out then. Cheers!

 

[MGOLD86]

Geez Matt, You've been a busy guy! I finally got caught up on your glog for the moment, but I'm sure that'll change...   You have such an "information rich" glog going, that I have to slow down and read almost every word... can't just skim through.
 
How are you liking the black landscaping fabric mulch you put down on your garden? Do you still need to water as often with it down?
You've got an ambitious grow list for next year, and I'll definitely be checking it out then. Cheers!

Yea, it was nonstop for a week or 2, then I have been able to chill for a bit and it now looks like the game will be amped back up. I got some crazy stuff comin in from Shane and another couple peeps.  You will probably appreciate a few of the upcoming reviews, cuz they shouldn't be mind-numbingly hot.  Thanks for the compliment, I am glad I can make you think that there is real substance here....
 
I like the weed cloth, and I dont.  I like it because it does make everything look cleaner, but it doesn't stop the weeds from growing.  So if I picked it up there would be a ton of weeds.  I haven't had to water the garden since the second week of July.  My plot retains water REALLY well, but it doesn't pool.  I have had to water the container plants less than 4 times as well, we have got enough rain and the temps have been manageable.  I really haven't had too many issues with flower drop either.  I will probably rethink my approach next season with the cloth and go in between the rows, that way the base of the plants are accessible and I still can weed around the stalk. 
 
Ok friends, like I alluded to above, there should be some killer reviews coming up over the next 10 days to 2 weeks.  I dont know how I am gonna fit them all in, but I will do my best to do a smattering of the pods.  I never get to everything, but I will go through the pods until they start to go soft. 
 
Oh yea...forgot this posted last night....Everyone can check out our garden.
http://youtu.be/FFb8fbf_1es

 

[Devv]

Nice update Matt!
 
Glad to see all the poddage!

 

[Seacowboy]

Great walk through. I'm doing the planning stuff as well for next year and trying to decide on more hid or a large fluorescent set up for seedlings on a 4x8 flood tray. Sure you'll come up with a solid plan and use what you learned from your previous experience to make it that much better and be a success.

 

[GnomeGrown]

Great video walk through a clean, well run grow, Matt.

 
Happy Harvests!

 

[3/5King]

This glog's getting outa control! Pods are looking wicked, vids are awesome and you have one of the top notch looking gardens on THP (well the ones I've seen.