I will be the first to admit, I didn't have that great of a season last year. I got overly optimistic and crowded my garden with too many plants. I lost over half my plants due to it. Lesson learned and moving forward:
I also didn't build my raised bed very well either. The timbers I used to build it, warped and split over the winter, so I am scrapping the entire thing and starting over.
Since I am limited to the space I can use, the dimension will remain the same, 8'x16'. I will be making the base out of 2”x12” with a 4”x4” post every 8'. Plus another placed 3' from a corner for the gate. I would prefer to use 1”x2” wire, but can only find 2”x4” locally. The top will be surrounded with 2”x4” to help support the wire. The surrounding fence will be 4' high to mostly keep neighborhood kids from accidentally eating the peppers...
I didn't really care for the way the sprinkler hoses I used last year worked, so I will be devising another irrigation method. Again, I will have to comply with local water regulations... Whatever I use will have to pump out enough water in 30 minutes to water the whole garden. I also only have 2 days a week I can water. I am open to suggestions on this... I understand that peppers don't require a lot of water, but the ground dries out fast here.
As for the layout of the plants, I will be making 3 rows of 4 plants. I have decided to only grow peppers this year as I still have several cans of tomatoes put up. Plus, I just don't have the room. I also plan to have another 12 plants in containers.
I have decided to plant 6 or 7 types. So far I have ordered:
1. Thai hot – Local
2. Bhut Jolokia – NMSU
3. Datil – NMSU
4. Aji Lemon – NMSU
5. Red Fatalii – Local
6. 7 Pot “Douglah” - Local
The seeds acquired locally I am pretty certain are true as they were grown separately in mini-greenhouses by a friend of mine. However, only time will tell.
I would really like another super hot, but can't/haven't found anything else that grabs my attention. Open to suggestions (handouts?) on this one as well.
I also need to setup my germination “box” and grow lights. I had to take it down to make room for my new macaw's cage.
I will update more as it happens, but it will be a slow process over the next few weeks. I still have to gather supplies and go scoop up a few hundred pounds of manure. Not to mention all of the labor to get everything ready while trying to juggle working full time and helping a friend get his restaurant ready to open.
Wish me luck guys and gals.
I also didn't build my raised bed very well either. The timbers I used to build it, warped and split over the winter, so I am scrapping the entire thing and starting over.
Since I am limited to the space I can use, the dimension will remain the same, 8'x16'. I will be making the base out of 2”x12” with a 4”x4” post every 8'. Plus another placed 3' from a corner for the gate. I would prefer to use 1”x2” wire, but can only find 2”x4” locally. The top will be surrounded with 2”x4” to help support the wire. The surrounding fence will be 4' high to mostly keep neighborhood kids from accidentally eating the peppers...
I didn't really care for the way the sprinkler hoses I used last year worked, so I will be devising another irrigation method. Again, I will have to comply with local water regulations... Whatever I use will have to pump out enough water in 30 minutes to water the whole garden. I also only have 2 days a week I can water. I am open to suggestions on this... I understand that peppers don't require a lot of water, but the ground dries out fast here.
As for the layout of the plants, I will be making 3 rows of 4 plants. I have decided to only grow peppers this year as I still have several cans of tomatoes put up. Plus, I just don't have the room. I also plan to have another 12 plants in containers.
I have decided to plant 6 or 7 types. So far I have ordered:
1. Thai hot – Local
2. Bhut Jolokia – NMSU
3. Datil – NMSU
4. Aji Lemon – NMSU
5. Red Fatalii – Local
6. 7 Pot “Douglah” - Local
The seeds acquired locally I am pretty certain are true as they were grown separately in mini-greenhouses by a friend of mine. However, only time will tell.
I would really like another super hot, but can't/haven't found anything else that grabs my attention. Open to suggestions (handouts?) on this one as well.
I also need to setup my germination “box” and grow lights. I had to take it down to make room for my new macaw's cage.
I will update more as it happens, but it will be a slow process over the next few weeks. I still have to gather supplies and go scoop up a few hundred pounds of manure. Not to mention all of the labor to get everything ready while trying to juggle working full time and helping a friend get his restaurant ready to open.
Wish me luck guys and gals.
