Vertical, Vertical, Vertical

If one cucumber plant grows 3' X 3' and you have 4 plants, that adds up to a lot of space. But if you grow them on a trellis you can grow the same number of plants in a much smaller area.
Build a homemade trellis, or use a manufactured trellis, but try the vertical method. They claim cucumbers, cantalopes and even watermelon will grow on a trellis. Cucumbers will be straighter too. The pruning is kind of tricky, but they say the vines will be stronger to handle the weight of the fruit. I plan to try it this year and I will keep you posted. I will plant on both sides of the trellis, to make the most of the space. Try to trellis peas and beans too.

Garden Creating

Okay so this is probably the first time you have heard the word creating when talking about gardening. Sometimes you just need to be creative. Like starting seeds in the bathtub (more about that later).
This may be your first garden, if so, congratulations !!! What a big step. A garden will be a great improvement in your garden and on your table. Start small and do some research. You will have so many decisions to make. Such as where to plant, what to plant and how much to plant.

Lets start with where to plant.
1. Choose a sunny location.
2. Well drained soil
3. Keep your first garden small.
4. Plant it in a close, convenient spot, one that you can see from your kitchen window.

Next, what to plant.
1. Vegetables your family likes to eat.
2. Lots of veggies for salads.
3. Plant a variety.
4. Have fun with your garden, try something new.

Last, how much to plant.
1. Plant in a compact area, make the most of your space.
2. Decide if you plan to eat the vegetables fresh or do some canning too.
3. Estimate how much you will harvest from a certain vegetable and then plant accordingly.
4. Try this, keep track of what vegetables you buy for a few weeks. Then plant what you think you will need. Keep in mind that you will eat differently out of your garden than out of the store. For example, you will probably use radishes and green onions from your garden in a salad, but may not go to the extra expense if you buy them at the store.

My Mother used to say, plant too much so you will have enough.
Plant what you eat and eat what you plant.

Four-O-Clooks, My Favorite for the Week

Four-O-Clocks
Four-O-Clocks are a flower that grows about 3 feet tall. I first tried these last year after finding an old seed packet of my Mothers. It quickly became a favorite of mine. They come in yellow, red, pink and striped colors.
They are also self-seeding, in other words, the flowers go to seed and the seeds drop to the ground. If the conditions are right, they will grow the following season.

SAVING SEED

http://www.croptrust.org/GlobalSupplyFood/index2.html
This is a link for information about saving seeds in a seed bank in the Arctic. Also, a little about the huge variety of beans and rice. It has a very interesting information about screening seeds and seed banking in the Arctic. It made me realize the importance of saving seeds.

Did you know that if you save your own seeds, (peas for example), that they will become acclimated to this area and will become tougher (more resistant to frost) and earlier (have a shorter growing season)? Pretty interesting huh?

So after learning about the Arctic seed bank and how the seeds you save will be acclimated to this area, I decided to learn more about saving seeds. This is what I know so far:
1. You shouldn’t save seeds from Hybrid plants. More about this in a later post.
2. You can save the seed from Heirloom plants only if they are pollinated from the exact type of plant or self pollinating. More about this later too.
3. Decide before you plant which seeds you would like to save. This will determine how much you plant and the location. For example, to save bean seed, so you will plant the seed you want to save far away from any other bean plants. Mark the plants you want to save and choose not to pick any of the produce until it is time to harvest the seed.
4. Some seed saving is a two year process. For example, carrots are harvested the first year and then re-planted the second year. The second year the carrot will go to seed.
5. Lots of useful information about seed saving is available on the Internet. Search for more information about particular plants there.
6. Seed saving is exciting and learning to be self-reliant is a relief to me.
7. Heirloom plants may not be as attractive as Hybrids.
8. Heirlooms may not be as disease resistant as Hybrids.
9. Heirlooms usually taste better than Hybrids.
10. I have saved Cress seed for about 20 years, and it hasn’t failed me yet.

So, consider saving some of your seed this year. It will be interesting, plus save money too.

Eight Ball Zuccini Squash, My Favorite for the Week.

Eight Ball Zuccini Squash and One Ball Zuccini Squash.

They are a type of zuccini squash in a bush plant. I plant them about 3 feet apart. The 8 Ball is dark green and the one ball is yellow with a little green on the top and bottom. They look like billard balls. They are harvested when about the size of a baseball. They are tender and very good producers and I get about 20 squash from each plant.

CAN THE IDEA

I sometimes use gallon cans around or next to some of my plants. I learned this method from my Parents, and I also found this example in an old garden book printed in the 1930's. It is a very simple method and I recommend it to everyone.

Plan ahead to get your cans from your local school cafeteria. Ask them to cut both ends off for you.

This is how it works. After you plant tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower from the plants you raised or purchased from the nursery, place a gallon can over the top. Push it in the soil about two inches. Make sure both ends are removed.

Using a can AROUND a new transplant will do several things:
1. Protect it from wind damage.
2. Keep in the moisture.
3. Keep in the heat, for a more consistent temperature.
4. It allows you to fertilize by putting the fertilizer directly in the can and watering it in.
5. It is easy to water the plant and gives the plant more water.
6. Keeps the weeds outside the can from growing as much, because you are not watering them.

How to use a can next to other plants. When planting cucumbers, cantaloupe, watermelon, squash and pumpkins, place the gallon can NEXT to the plant. I put it on the south side of the plant, to protect the delicate plant from the cold Spring winds.

I create a large bowl with soil, two to three inches high and one to two feet around the plant. I water these plants in the cans also. I just let the can overflow with water and fill the large bowl. This system insures that the plant will get at least one gallon of water each time you water it. It will stay moist longer and its roots will move to the water.

Watering in the can will also keep the weeds around the plant from growing. This is the biggest advantage of this system. You will have to hand water the plants, but the reduction of weeds will be worth it.

BLUE LAKE POLE OR BUSH BEAN

My favorite bean is the Blue Lake Bean. It has been around forever, and is a good producer. It has also has good flavor, whether you can it or eat it fresh. I recommend it because it is an Heirloom too. That means, you can save the seed for planting next year. I saved some seed last year, and I plan to plant it this year to see how it works.

Last year I planted pole beans around the bottom of a four foot tall tomato cage, and had good results with it. Plant about 20 to 30 seeds in and around the cage, keep them watered well. I turned the cage upside down, and staked it with a medal fence post. This year I plan to let them climb a net wire fence about 4 feet tall. I will plant rows six to eight inches wide on both sides of the fence.

THE DIRT ABOUT SOIL

I’m far from an expert on soil, but here are the few things I know.

1. If you mix sand with your clay soil it makes cement.
2. To improve your soil, add lots of manure, or organic matter. It is good to add manure, leaves, lawn clippings (without weeds) in the fall. It will break down during the Winter and you will have very mellow ground the next Spring.
3. Sawdust takes NITROGEN from the soil, so if you must use it, apply manure with it. Sawdust takes a long time to decay too. I don’t recommend it.
4. Adding SOIL PEP to soil is a very good thing. It is reasonably priced and is good in your garden or on your flower beds.
Wait until the ground is dry and ready to work, then spread it on the top and work it in. Two to four inches on top is a good start. I try to spread a couple of inches over my flowers in the fall and during the winter it sinks in and breaks down. It is a good mulch for the flowers and lightens up the soil. But it doesn't add much in the way of nutrients to your soil.
5. Don’t work the soil when it is too wet, you will end up with hard clody ground.
6. Don’t walk on the soil when it is too wet, it will pack down, causing clods when it is worked. Plants need air pockets in with the dirt to grow a good root system. That is why you want light soil. If your ground is compacted, the roots have a hard time working their way through it.
7. To test the soil for moisture, squeeze a handful, if it stays in a ball, it is too wet to work, it if separates it is dry enough to work.

REMINDER !!!
1. Buy your seeds.
2. Apply Caserone in raspberries and in areas where you don’t want weeds to grow.
3. Spray dormant oil or Neem oil soon.

FAST BREAK CANTALOUPE, MY FAVORITE OF THE WEEK

I highly recommend this cantaloupe, I have had the best luck with it. It is a great producer with at least five large cantaloupes per hill. I usually buy the starts from a greenhouse, but this year I am going to plant seeds. It says on the package 85-95 days. It matures early in the season and is great tasting too.

NOTE: The package says 10-20 days to germination. I soak the seeds for about five days before planting, this will speed up the germination process.

A TIME AND A SEASON

I love to see the crocuses come up and hate to see them go. They have such a small season. Then I love to see the tulips come but am sad when they are gone. Vegetables are the same way, the life of a radish or pea is too short-lived, but soon the corn and cucumbers will be ready.

I noticed something a few years ago. Even though a flower or a vegetable is on it’s way out, there is always something else to look forward to. My Mother used to say she was "thankful for the changing of the seasons." I realize there is a time and a place for everything and I am so thankful I always have something to look forward to.

When Winter comes I look forward to Spring. The Winter allows time to plan and think beyond today. After working hard in the yard and garden, my Mother would say, "I am going to enjoy my Winters more!" I loved it when she said it and it is so true.