Will Be Setting - up My EBs Soon AS Weather Allows? Part III

Thread getting long. We came from here. http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/918376/

gymgirl: I'm here, any answers or comments or suggestions to my rather long post, sorry about that dear.
joy112854

Hey Joy!
No need for apology. Starting a new thread when they get kinda long is just a common practice here in the Garden. You just keep on posting girlie!

Yep, it was overdue. Thanks

You forget how many people do not have access to anything but dial up where they live. The earth did not come equiped with cable and DSL lines.

Garden Glory: I remember those days, as even though I'm on DSL now, I couldn't get cable or anything except dial up in my area, I even thought about satellite and went to all kinds of trouble trying to get it, as I was pretty much alone out here, but, the peace and quiet was nice. Six months later, some contractor threw up 600 houses out here, after chopping all the trees down and then the phone company offered DSL. So; though I got DSL, I miss the peace and quiet sometimes. I moved here for that country feel and now live 17 miles from town and have that city feel.
joy112854

HI
I have a question about peppers in containers. BB and Tplant say you don't need to put dolomite in for tomatoes etc. But what about those that need
a slightly acid soil like peppers. Do you put sulfer in them.. I am talking about Ebs with coir.
Annie

Hi fbded, If I can chime in here, I have pepper plants in EB's and 5 gallon grow bags both with coco coir and only add my 10-8-22 fertilizer with a little Epsom salt. Mind you, my fertilizer has calcium and magnesium in it unlike many ferts. This is the best year I ever had for peppers

Hey Tplant- how about some closeups of your tomato plants

BocaBob

This is what I pick every morning for the wife's lunch

Boca Bob: Yes, those are some nice looking peppers. And the tomatoes look nice too.
joy112854

Boca Bob -- Because of my late planting my tomatos are just starting to form and won't be edible till Christmas. Other than that they are doing great! Pictures just now would not show anything but large green healthy plants but I'll try.

I had so many peppers this year I finally just pulled them out of the EB and put something else in. Next year, Im not going to plant them till later, I grow the cubanelles for chili making, dont know what to do with all of them in the summer. Tried to can them, didnt like that. I will wait till more the time of the year I use them.
I think I will grow something for salsa and guacamole thru the summer, then plant the cubanels.
Every year I say...no more tomatos. Yes, already planning which ones for the spring, just cant help it.

Hey, Bocabob!
What kinda lettuce is that in your wife's lunch kit photo?

Hey Gymgirl - Boston Bibb lettuce, I grow that and Paris island Cos Romaine.

BocaBob

All I can show for now are larger plants than previous. I do have tomatos on them especially the OSU tomatos. They are purple on the topand green on the bottom. When they get a little bigger I'll show you.

leetomkatebob - can I ask what type of fert you use?

!0-10-10 as always. But Spray-n Grow on the lay flat bags and 5 gal bags but will try a stronger liquid fertilizer as I am experimenting. Can I use your fertilizer if I mix it in a watering can or hose spray?

Just read your Marketplace and see that I can mix with water. Save one for me after this month. Tough month for $$$.

TPlant: We should call yours the tomato forest with the looks of those tomatoes, oh I can only hope mine will look something like that this Spring. I know what you mean about the $$$, two pieces of property and taxes due soon (groan), Christmas and economic woes for most. I understand the EBs are going on sale this month; but can't find out how much a savings there will be. Now, little man (my grandson) wants me planting fruit too on top of veggies.

BocaBob: From the looks of your wife's lunch, she looks spoiled to death by you. LOL

Actually the two of you are spoiled lil brats being able to grow and I can only watch. (sniffles).
joy112854

Hey, Joy,
I just got a flyer with the sale prices. And, I just called the 888-448-7857 order number to confirm that SHIPPING IS FREE!

1-2 Boxes = $33.93 each
3-4 Boxes = $33.18 each
5 or more - $31.80 each

The above prices for the BASIC kit only, and includes the box, screen, fill tube, 2 covers, and instructions. Enjoy!

MitchF - I now use a commercial growing formula 10-8-22 which is a complete fertilizer for container growing. It contains calcium and some magnesium which is usually not found in other water soluble ferts(like Miracle Gro). You also add some Epsom salt to round out the formula. It contains all major and minor and micro nutrients needed by all plants for healthy growth and fruiting. I still use good old 10-10-10 with Garden lime from Espoma(like Tplant uses) when I use my covered EarthBoxes, but more and more I'm moving towards my 5 gallon grow bags with coco coir and the 10-8-22. The cost is a big factor.

BocaBob (Leetomkatebob)

Gymgirl: So they are more than $29.95 now??? What's that about?
joy112854

TPlant: Our search engine on this site isn't working well, can you give me the name of the thread where we discussed brand names for things such as Dolomite Lime and the pics you posted? I need to buy some supplies tomorrow when I go into town, I'm using a few EBs folks, indoors this time!!!!!
joy112854

Home Depot --- Espoma lime although brand name does not matter as long as it is dolomitic lime. Comes in 5 lb bag. Do not buy 40 lb bag as it is only 50% dolomite and don't listen to the store clerks advice as they don't know a darn thing about their products and could sell you poison for fertilizer. Flip can tell you about that!

TPlant: Thanks, my grandangel is in town for the week; so, her and I are going to put two of granny's new EBs together and plant those artichokes. Thanks, we will have fun tomorrow for sure.
joy112854

Its about free shipping. They ae not very much to ship anyway, of course I live close. Saves a couple of bucks tho. I get mine when they have them on clearance. That hasnt happened yet this year. Got 10 last year. Saved a little, not alot, it helps tho.

Garden Glory: I dug out a GP box and two EBs this morning. I'm on my way now to the new Tractor/Farm store to pick up dolomite lime and fertilizer then onto Lowes to pick up 3 bags of Jungle Growth, then to pick up my grandangel, who just got into town from Georgia, she is at her other grannys. When we get here, her and I will then play in the potting mix, LOL, I mean, put the mix, dolomite lime and fertilizer and plants in the EBs and GP. I have one by each window. Will keep everyone posted on how these 6 artichokes do.
joy112854

Good going. Just dont make it any harder than it is, that was my problem. Pack those corners first, lime in the mix and the fertilizer down the top, Tplant said he doesnt even cover his fertilizer. I was doing it like the instructions, making a trench and putting it in, and them covering with a little mix. Point is, works either way. Have fun, I wish it was me doing that.

Garden Glory: Just got back from in town, checked the new tractor/farm store - nothing, Lowes nothing on the lime but picked up two 3 cu foot bags of Jungle Growth Professional Growing mix with fertilizer for containers, then ran by Aces, guess what? Agricultural Limestone, seems pretty powdered also, it is by Hi-Yield, comes in a 6 lb bag, cost $3 and change, had 3 granular fertilizers to choose from, since artichokes are heavy feeders decided to do this right, (I hope), and bought a 50 lb bag of 13-13-13, they also had 10-10-10 and 8-8-8. The 50 lb bag cost me all of $21, so I think that was a great deal actually.

Does above sound ok? If so; I'll get to planting!
joy112854

That all sounds perfect

Happy thanksgiving to all! I cooked a nice spread 4 me N the DH, including the collards N mustards. Finally put those kitchen shears 2 good use! My greens were so clean I almost stopped in the middle of cleaning them 2 come ask U guys why I wasn't finding any bugs or worms!! Not one. I was about 2 grab a magnifying glass. But I gave in 2 the fact that this was yet another blessing 2 B thankful 2 God 4! I picked about 60 big leaves off the greens,1/2 N 1/2. Slow cooker w/ham hocks, onions N bell peppers. Yummy!

This message was edited Nov 27, 2008 11:19 PM

Never had to much time yesterday but did sit outside and enjoy!

Extremely heavy winds today doing a lot of natural pruning for me . I have a lot of green tomatos on them. My plants are staked and supported but the lower vines, some of them, are getting snapped off! Some gusts can knock me over when not expected! I was going to dig some trenches to cover the exposed irrigation line that run from the faucet to the watering area to prevent the lawnmower from chopping it up but not today. Will have to wait till tomorrow. Good reading and TV day....So I guess that will be it for today!

I haven't been out there to look at the damage as it is raining and I don't want to get the camera and myself wet so I'll wait a bit. The rain, even though the the plants are in EBs, appreciate the rain. However, I do have a challenge and that is to bury the exposed parts of the irrigation 1/2" water line as most of my area has been set on hardpan which prevents our home from settleing. (mobile) I've completed the entire home. Three outlets with three timers so this should be a big help to my shoulders? (Osteoarthritis) It can be disableing if I overdue it! The problem is to break through the top layer to bury the tube so the lawnmower does not chop it up or someone step on it or trip. Dynamite would do fine!! Guess I'll go to Lowes today and buy a pickaxe as that is the only way I know how to get the job done!

This message was edited Dec 2, 2008 9:13 AM

Yesterday the weather was cold and damp for South Florida. I figured it would be perfect for me to bury the three exposed irrigation lines so I went to Lowes to buy a pickaxe, if that's how you spell it, and went to work. It sure made a difference making the trench as it broke right through the hardpan and I was able to bury the three outlet lines about six inches deep so they should be safe from the lawnmower and my grandson!
Did have one problem though as I ended up in the doctor's office shortly afterwards as I had a bronchial attack. Seems like the cool, damp weather and my exertion brought it on as I could not stop coughing and my breath meter blew a 225 whereas it should be over 550 at least.
While working I was not coughing but had to rest after every few piks? It was only on my third trench that the heavy coughing and shortness of breath did I realize what was happening. Had slight difficulty making it inside as I was weak but after testing myself with the exhaler and using my medicated inhaler, blew a 400. Still in all called my doctor and they made me come right in! I was told that the exertion plus the combination of cool, damp weather brought it on so I must be more careful today as I was going to go out there and re-stake my damaged tomato vines but I'd better stay inside and rest. Darn!! I'm not used to just sitting around and staying out of my garden.

Paw,
Sometimes God sends these little episodes so we are forced to take a much-needed time out....relax...

Had to rest today so went to bed around noon to take a nap and woke up a short while ago! Doctor said to get plenty of rest and stay indoors in cool weather so here I am. Must admit I was feeling very tired which is not like me but this is my second attack of bronchitis in less than a month so now I know! My tomatos must be re-staked as the wind storm did some heavy damage but because my garden has hardpan under the grass the stakes can't just be driven in? The hole must be started with a large metal spike and heavy hammer to break down into the softer soil which at this time would be too much exertion for me so it will have to wait for warmer and drier weather which is supposed to be on its way.

Went outside to photo the damage after our big wind storm of two days ago. Some plants held up pretty well but others split! My OSU took the biggest beating as they were right up front but they will survive and I do have four more. Will have to let things be as is until tomorrow and warmer weather as I don't want the bronchitis to act up again. This sitting around is driving me nuts! I'm not the type to be couped up in the house?

Hard to tell from the pictures but my plants were a lot taller and now they are just bushy but still healthy. I have a lot of green tomatos that will be ready about January10 or so. Last year I had tomatos for Christmas but because of my late start due to health problems and this darned construction I'm behind schedule but it should be all worthwhile as they promised a lot more gardening room. We'llsee?
This German Johnson really took a beating but came back ticking!

This message was edited Dec 3, 2008 1:34 PM

The others are doing fine. Did not take time for names as it was cool, windy and damp and I should not have been out there as of this time but you know me?

Bob,
You wrestle him to the ground, I'll hog-tie him!

Another angle! After all this crazy weather I've got to spray the Ortho Garden Disease Control ASAP. As you can see my plants are very healthy and I want to keep them that way....They love the coco coir but do add a half cup of Epsom salt for additional magnesium or whatever.
Gymgirl -- I was only out there for a few minutes and worked quickly.