Beginner Gardening: FROM CABBAGES TO COWPEAS?, 1 by Gymgirl

Gymgirl wrote:
Morning, Shoe!

Thanks for the feedback. Yes, I'm growing almost exclusively in eBuckets (up to around 40 by this season), EBs (9 patented), and large planters (18-24").

We like cowpeas (beans). Crowders, black eye peas, crowder peas and especially Lady Cream Peas (which I can't seem to find seeds for...)

I spent the last two days dumping potting soil from the eBuckets and refreshing them. I know I could've just dug a hole and stuck something in, but I'm finding that a lot of times there are roots that have grown down into the reservoir. And, scummy water from the eBuckets sitting until I get to them after whatever was in either died or got eaten. I really should just put something else in as soon as I pull something out.

After two days (most of the 1st day was spent giving EVERY eBucket occupant a water blast bath cause I found some aphids on the 8 remaining cabbages...) I only managed to get 7 eBuckets planted. Dumping wet potting mix was the holdup. I've got to find a better production line method...

But, I managed to dump the mix from the remaining eBuckets into a huge plastic tub to dry out this week. Planting the bells this weekend should be a breeze. Gotta outfit a couple more eBuckets, and redo a few misplaced overflow holes.

I used plumbers glue to repair a leak in a huge bucket that's gonna hold a tomato plant! I gave it a test yesterday, and no leaking! This was a major accomplishment, trust me...Now I can plug up the misplaced overflow holes, too!

The bells are being hardened off for plantout this weekend. I wish my tomato seedlings would take off. They've been outside since they were WSed, and I potted up to 16 oz. solo cups two weeks ago. But they're just sitting there like they're trying to decide what to do...I need them to GROW so I sell the excess and plant mine! Any ideas on how to get them going?

Thanks!

Linda