then i drilled holes to slide the zip ties thru
Does Anyone have plans to make boxes yourself?
notice that on the pipe, the end that sits in the resevoir, i cut the half inch holes so that water could enter thru from the bottom
Angie: Good job, my guy who put my buckets together for me had a tough time getting the pond basket to fit into the hole he drilled, the hole for the pond basket was too large, I asked a friend if they had zip ties and they sent me cable ties which I used instead to hold the pond basket into the hole. I hope that works? Will find out soon I suppose.
By the way, has anyone planted carrots in their EBs and do you just plant the seeds in or do you start them inside first and then plant the startings in the EB. I know you just put the seeds in the grow bags; but, my grow bags will have tomatoes in them, so will put the carrots in the EB instead.
joy
Direct plant carrot seeds in whatever you are using
BocaBob
Bob: That seems to be what everyone is saying, something to do with the roots and their not transplanting very well. Got two tomatoes out on the deck looking for a little sunbathing today, I put them in your grow bags; but, it seems overcast today, how long do I leave them outside their first go round?
joy
Joy == As long as weather allows!
Joy,
Make sure you sprinkle your carrot seeds either "sparingly" in your EB, kinda spaced out, OR be prepared (and this is NOT optional) to THIN THEM OUT. The roots (the "carrot" part) will not grow properly if too crowded. So, either give 'em room at the front end, or make some room on the back end.
From a "carrot-bush-grower-who-now-knows-that-she-should've-thinned-'em-out-when she-had-the-chance-to-do-so-but-didnt" and who now has a tangled mess that probably will end up on the compost heap!
Learn, Joy, learn!
Gymgirl: Have you ever grown Sweetness II from Park's in an EB? Someone was telling me that I should put the seeds in rows of two with the fertilizer strip down the middle and in like in clumps of 10, 20 on each side of the strip, anyone got pics for me?
by the way, just posted pics of my toms first field trip outside, I replanted 3 of them, 2 superbushes and 1 whopper in 3 of Bob's grow bags, they were turned down half way, as I buried the stem on all three and will roll the bag up as I fill with coir as they grow. It's a tad windy; but, I have been brushing my hands over them at least twice daily to get them ready for this.
joy
joy
Joy -- That is the way to plant carrots and they should do very well in the coir as it is very soft , fluffy and pliable. Carrots love soft soil and the coir fits the bill perfectly. I'll bet on it! If your cukes and eggplants grow like mine in the coir you'll be forced to give them away. I am only sorry I was unable to take the proper pictures this season but doctor's orders kept me inside! Could have used some of your pep and ambition. Oh well! They will soon be finished and my next seeding for melons is anytime in March and my peppers are about three inches high and will plant later in 5" square containers so I'll have a good season afterall the interruptions.
Tplant, what mellons are you growing?
I can grow any kind here. Watermelons, canteloupe, honeydew, Persian, Canary Yellow etc but this year I'm going to try to grow a couple of really big ones but not made up my mind as of this time.
When you do, take pix for me?
TPlant, my butt is dragging to night, and I had my daughter's help. I think my disease is catching to her, as she is getting into this gardening thing now. LOL
joy
Paw,
I still have your Bush Sugar Baby Watermelon seeds. I'll post them tomorrow, so you'll get them in time.
Lemme know when to start the seeds and I'll plant mine at the same time you do, ok?
As soon as my turnips, carrots and beets grow up (mid-April) and I harvest the veggies from the trellis bed and beet boxes, I'll sow the watermelon seeds and the cowpeas in those areas. LMK
Here's what I've been up to, Paw.
Linda
Hey Gymgirl, Your plants look so healthy; are they in coir? Oh by the way, you are maiking Ebuckets this weekend? Post pix?
Thank you but please don't as they are not as good as advertised. I tried them last year. However, March 15 should be safe to seed.
They lack taste!
This message was edited Feb 27, 2009 11:45 AM
Thanks, Devota,
I will be constructing eBuckets tomorrow. I think I'm gonna go with angiegr's design. Most of my design issue was that my wicking basket wasn't reaching far enough down into the water reservoir. I think angiegr solved that problem with the perforated PVC. Most of my buckets already have a 3-3/8"? hole drilled in the center, so I'm thinking I'll either try to find PVC to fit that hole, or get a 4" hole drillbit to expand the existing hole and get the 4" PVC.
I'm also considering cutting the lids to make potting shelves, too, so I'll only have to use one bucket per unit. I want to grow more broccoli and cauliflower in the Fall, and I can expand my grow space by un-doubling the existing buckets. I can always get enough lids.
Depending on $$$, I'll either go with the PVC wicking tubes, or the wire wicking sleeve you designed. $$$ will dictate, since I've put a moratorium on spending. Suze Orman makes great sense -- I need to have that 8 months of living expenses socked away, and I'm cutting back on garden spending after this season, so what I do now will have to hold me for awhile...
Paw,
What was wrong with 'em? I've never grown watermelon, and still have time to order a better product. Please comment...
Gymgirl Why can't you use 4" pvc without cutting bigger hole.As long as your pvc is tight up against bottom of top bucket.This is what I did.Then held in place with snap tie. Am I thinking wrong???????????
Tubby
Tubbytee,
I was thinking that, too. I just have to have all the pieces in front of me to see how it would balance. It SHOULD be ok, since the top bucket can't really "fall over." It's hard for me to visualize some things in my head -- just wasn't blessed with that skill -- but I have more than enough other skills to make up for that one I lack!
Thanks for the confirmation.
BTW, please tell me why I would still need the zip ties? Once the filled potting bucket settles down on that 4" PVC pipe, will it move outta place?
GG just for security The nickname is Tplants fault Sorry Tpant had to blame someone..LOL
Tubby
Better safe than sorry!
Tubbytee,
I don't understand what you meant about the nickname? Please explain.
Ok, Paw. Gotcha. I'll drill smaller anchor holes and use the zip ties.
Planting season is about to happen. Just look at what's being called up on the "tags! page"
GymgirlI went on a search for that post..No luck..I hope now that I remember correctly Tplant said "You got it GG or Gg..If I'm wrong I will owe Tplant an apology I was also being a lazy typist.The hunt-peck type
Its okay I hope
Tubby
Of course Tubby! We all joke about each other...The only way someone can offend me is to question my integrity than all h--- breaks loose! LOL
gymgirl, def. use the ties, just in case it decides to slide around.....i'm now also considering using pine bark mulch on top instead of plastic for moisture retention...we'll see...
angiegr -- That should work! Keep us up to date on the pine bark mulch? How about using a control ? A cover on one and mulch on the other?
Ya I like to joke around..Just ask my GKs..They call me Grandpa the kidder.LOL
GD & GS spent 1 week last summer.GS asked how come your always kidding me grandpa.I said because it's fun..A second of thought & he said (with emphasis) not for me.!! ROFLOL
tplant, i'll probably consider doing that
Gymgirl,
I grew Sugar Baby watermelons last year. They are touted as being very sweet and lots of people like them, so the taste must differ depending on the soil and growing conditions. However, mine were tasteless, too.
I also did not like the yellow watermelon I planted last year, bland. Again though, it may be the soil or growing conditions, because many like them.
Karen
Same here!
"it may be the soil or growing conditions, because many like them. "
I wonder about that, too. I grow and sell quite a few of them every year, customers even get perturbed w/me if I don't have them. As with most melons if you withhold water during their last days towards maturity it'll sure increase the sugar content. That may come into play also.
By the way, I grow "Sugar Baby". I see a reference to "Bush Sugar Baby" nowadays and I wonder if there is a difference in the two. Anyone know?
Shoe
I wonder if you grow them in coco coir will they taste like coconuts..LOL
Tubby
The Bush Sugar baby vines are only supposed to grow 3-1/2' to 4' long, so no traveling all over the place...that's about as much as I know. I just wanna grow a nice sweet watermelon. Never did it before, so I need ya'lls guidance on sweet varieties. I don't need a whole stand full of watermelons -- just about 5-10 or so good ones is all.
Please LMK what I'd have good success with.
P.S. I'm planning on sowing seeds into a little above ground box and letting the vines grow over the sides. The melons can grow in the grass next to the boxes. I've been saving up my pantyhose to harness them up. I need instructions and guidance.
Thanks!
Linda
Linda,
They might be wonderful for you. If I were you, I would plant them since you already own the seeds and then back them up by planting a second variety. I can't recommend a second variety because last year was my first year growing melons, and I didn't like either one I planted. This year I am trying one of the large, old-time melons, but the name of it escapes me right now.
Last year I grew Celebrity tomatoes. I've yet to hear from anyone else on DG who likes them. But for me they were wonderful, super tasty and very productive. Even though I am clearly in the minority here, I'll plant them again this year. Tomato varieties that have done well for others have been unproductive and bland tasting for me.
I really think the soil and growing conditions make a lot of difference, but I can't tell you exactly how or why it does. Before hybrid seeds, our grandparents would select the best tasting ones and save the seed for next year. They would share the seeds with others, who in turned saved the seeds from the ones they liked best. That's the way many of the heirloom varieties came about.
Getting recommendations for varieties to try is a great idea and a good starting point. When you discover which ones do well for you and that you like, stick with them regardless of how they grow for other gardeners.
Karen
Gymgirl I'm doing the exact same thing as you. Sweet Horseshoe was kind enough to share some Sugar Baby seeds with me. I'm going to plant the seeds in Bob's growbags and then let the melons trail on the ground. I'm not harnessing them up though, going to set the melons on pieces of wood or something.
snail food.
hehe, we don't get snails here Devota ☺