Cricket's Greenhouse

And the Giant Upright Elephant ears----which actually grew over 6 feet tall last year.

not counting all the cannas, hibiscus , ginger, and lilies that i have to transplant.

cannas

ginger and more cannas
plus me and chad(6 yr old son)

I grow this stuff in the ground---a way to store it easily during summer---then when spring arrives --I dig some up and pot it up for the greenhouse sales.


So anyway. I have alot to transplant. This was only a small portion of what has to be transplanted. I also have verigated Cane. And alot more cannas,
I have 32 differant varieties of cannas. Many many many of each.
Then i have 5 differant elephant ears, many of each.
STella daylillies, hostas, 12 deciples lily. hydrangeas that i take cuttings off of for greenhouse sales. the list goes on and on.

If I start my seeds in mid July they are ready in late Sept/1st wk of Oct. I do them in the greenhouse-you have to be able to control the water-so not outside. You don;t want to cover the seed-i do plug sheets with my seeder. I do about 120,000 seeds-split up into 3 weeks-I stagger them. They are under a mister that goes off every 10 mins for 15 sec and when they germ, its real important to cut back the water-I take them out of the misting area and mist them a few times a day. Pansies are very susceptable to fungus and you really have to underwater them. After 4 weeks, I transplant them directly outside to 1801's ( I don;t grow the 36's or 46 cell packs.
For solid colors I grow the Delta series. Orange is the worst germ rate-sometimes about 40-60%. The violas are great-the Sorbet series is the best, and there is a huge variety.
Delta has a lot of mixes as well and the women love them.

I also preventative spray for fungus-Clearys and Subdue or Truban.
There are other things to know , but am thinking aabout the spring crop now lol. It can be a tricky crop to grow-you have to keep your PH around 5.5-5.9 or 6 (tops) but its the only real crop here in NC for the fall/winter. Its a major crop here.
Let me know if you have questions.

ok thanks for the info tigerlily.


I sowed my okra seed in 288 plug flats on Sunday Afternoon , April 2nd, and I did not soak them at all. Today Tuesday April 4th they have germinated.
They have been on a heat mat set at 75 degrees.
Anyway--i was kinda shocked. I am not expecting to transplant for almost 3weeks but i better plan on sooner.

Cricket

Hi Cricket,

I know that you're working furiously - but please post soon - I'm going thru withdrawals over here.... LOL!!

lol it just so happens i took pics this morn .

where to start?
hm
Hanging baskets are showing some life.
So are the Petunias in the flats


This message was edited Apr 7, 2006 9:52 AM

The marigolds are about root bound.
They are goin to the market this weekend --weather permitting. I started them too early.

The 6" pot tomatoes are getting so big. I think I did them too early too---1 week too early. It makes a big differance. They are goin to the market also this weekend ==weather permitting.

The tomatoes in the flats are right on time. They will be ready for sales sometime next week which is the week of Good Friday.

red petunias

AAAAhhhhhh - - now that's better..... I guess the shaking will stop soon too.... whew!! Almost lost me there.... hahahahahha.

Thanks - I'm really taking the active interest here.. Now when did you start those tomatoes and marigolds... gotta scroll up and look...

white petunias

the 6" eggplants and peppers are right on time. they should be saleable in another week.

sowed those 6" tomatoes feb 18
sowed the marigolds feb 17
sowed the 6" peppers and eggplant feb 11

vinca is doing pretty good. they like heat and not alot of water. they are tricky. They will rot if you water too much. I only water when they look dry and only little bit.

My produce tomatoes are looking good too.

Big Beef.

Early Girl===cause i am desperate for a mater now!

I transplant another batch of tomatoes for flats next week/friday.

Heres a pic of the Blueberry blooms. Part of what will be on the fresh grown produce stand.

i think im out of pictures now.

Can show my grape orchard.
4 rows 80 feet long.
And that is grandfathers jeep.

hm
how bout the other side of yard where the mini orchard is. they all young. just planted this spring.

How bout these cucumbers and squash ---they are doing nicely.

I am also growing some Mammoth Sunflowers in a flat, some 6 inch pots and in 1 gallon pots. Dont know how they will sell but trying it anyway.
I sowed my own cantaloupes, watermelons, squash, cucumbers, and pumpkins the other day. I have no garden plot. I have no tiller and running myself nuts trying to figure out how I am goin to grow them.. :(

There is an area out back where it seems the grass grows kinda short. Tought about just diggin a hole for each plant and planting it and walking away. sigh.

I'm in virtual heaven..... Oh the sweet euphoria...

I want to grow blueberries someday... Need more area than I have now though.. Can I start them in big pots - or do the roots need to spread out?

What about raised beds or big grow bags?

they are actually shollow rooters. the roots stay close to the surface. You can deffinately grow the blueberries in pots for a couple of years. Depending on what type you grow---you may have to set them out in the ground later on.

raised grow beds would be just fine. You would have to water them more often inpots and raised beds.

I'll do the blueberries in pots -

I was suggesting raised beds for your watermelons and pumkins stuff. Actually - you could do boxed in hills - say boxes 2 ft square for a plant.. Of course - now if you started hundreds of these - you may need a row or two tilled up.. HHhhmmm Got a plow to tie to a truck bumper - and a driver? I hear that used to work with horses and mules.... LOL..

I have a tractor with a box blade that has teeth on the box blade. it breaks the ground about 4 inches deep.

I guess I could do them the same way I am doin the okra. Cannot remember if i mentioned it or not.
I broke the ground in a 2 foot wide row. box bladed the grass out of there. the row is 120 feet long. I did the same thing in another area but 4 short rows. Those 4 rows are 75 feet long.
Since I do not have a tiller, I plant to plant the okra down these rows---double row. And just cutting the grass with lawnmower on outside of the rows.
As for the melons. Can break the row the same way. Mow the grass one good time just before they start running. Then let it go.
I havent decided how to grow the squash yet.
I have galvinized tin. I could get hubby to cut the tin into 8 inch high peices and make a grow bed with the tin. A long grow bed. Using 2x4 spikes into the ground then screwing the tin to the 2x4 spikes.
I better start working. This stuff will need to be transplanted in two weeks.
I didnt sow many melons. 36 water melon seeds.
72 cantaloupe seeds. 36 squash seeds. 6 big moon pumpkins.
I understand the purpose of hills for squash is cause the squash ends rest on the ground and the hill helps keep them high off puddles of water. Have no idea what the purpose of hills are for --for cantaloupes, and watermelons. I can see making a ditch around the plants to help hold fertilizers at the planting area.

oh wello.

Cricket

wow wow wow it all looks wonderful!

Your box blade has a scarifier in it - mine does too. Precurser to a harrower... OK - so much for John Deere 101..

You could put down straw after you break ground. Give it enough time to sprout and break down before you transplant seedings. This will cushion the veggies off the ground. The raised bed sounds ok - just one question on your tin that you suggested to use. The surface where the vines may go over - is it sharp? The vines are succulent and will rub on the sharp surface maybe. Just a thought.

You can grow the squash up instead of out.... Make them climb up on a cross support much like beans do.. Good for small space gardens.. but keeps the squash off the ground. The leaves will get big enough to shade the fruit.

I suggested the hills so as not to have to break ground - Here in the clay we have - it's sometimes easier to let the ground be a base and then build on top of it. You have plenty of leftover soil from this and that to use in the raised areas. I guess I was thinking of working smarter not harder... My two cents worth..

blue petunias

what will i use to make the 2x2 hills? lol Tires. Dang . where are the tires when you want to use them. Tar---never read anywhere that tires were toxic. Folks only guess they are. Havent found a scientific proof yet.
Back when i first started gardening--15 yr ago, I used tires to put around my mater plants. I just weed eated around them. It worked great , beautiful plants, and tons of pretty maters . They say if its toxic material then you plants will show it to be toxic by looking poor.

Calling all tires.
Park it right here at crickets.

Cricket

I hear ya!! I've seen it used too..

I get so mad at myself sometimes. There is nothing I do that I don't think of how to make money from it.
I can't even work on my yard without thinking how it can make me money. Planting stuff that will multiply so it will make me money one day. Making planters for flowers for my deck but when it comes right down to it---i wonder if there is something I can plant in it that will make me money. Just slap me please. There is nothing planted in my yard so far that I couldn't make money off of one of these days.
I need a vacation from my brain and my life. I have never been on a vacation. There was always something that had to be done and couldnt leave home. I don't think I even get an off day. A rest day. Something always has to be done. Guess thats my own fault.
I did finally get to sit on my new deck after dark, and watch lightening strike in the distance. The wind was slightly blowing. Hope it dont strike no one but was very pretty. Wishing I had a hammic or swing. Which bill could i possibly put off for that. haha , none.
I think the greenhouse has finally broke me. No extra $.
Penny bank is empty.
Come on sales.

Hang in there, Cricket! I've been reading your thread for awhile, and am quite inspired by all you do! In fact, I read your thread to inspire me to get out there and work in my greenhouse - not NEARLY as large as yours, and I only have two - one 20 x 20 and a small one about 8 x 12. We're potting up stuff, too. Don't give up now - it's almost "sales season!!" Karen

I put the second round of tomato and pepper and marigold seedlings out side today. Harden them off. Its partly sunny today. When they get transplanted to flats they will be in full sun right off the bat. No room in the greenhouse.

Thank you Karen. I feel better today. I just get flustrated sometimes. And tired.

this is my okra in 288 plug flats. they get transplanted next sunday to the garden.

Cricket, everything looks great. I know you must be tired, this business can really wear you out. Everyday-day in and day out. When will you get a break? I know you need one! I need one lol.