Here's some Spring pics. I'm pretty happy so far :)

Pugzley: I got muscles that hurt where I didn't know I had them. But, you know what they say, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. No pain no gain? Maybe I will look like Raquel Welch when this Spring gets here, Nah, never happen; but, I'll be in better shape anyways right? LOL
joy

Here's some updated pics....

Beefsteak Toms and Bush Beans are growing pretty quick - http://rayderphan.net/Pics/garden3-20-09/2EBbeefsteakandbeans.jpg

Had a bit of a problem with my Sungold's (Leaf Spot) but I think I have it under control now. This is after removing half of the foliage and spraying with fungicide. Still looks Ok :-) http://rayderphan.net/Pics/garden3-20-09/EBsungold.jpg

Here's some Better Boys, Big Beefs and Yellow Pear toms in 12 gallon containers http://rayderphan.net/Pics/garden3-20-09/materpatch.jpg

Strawberries are pumping out fruit - http://rayderphan.net/Pics/garden3-19-09/prettyinpinkStrawberries2.jpg

Planted some Silver Queen Corn. Hope they produce for me - http://rayderphan.net/Pics/garden3-18-09/cornSilverQueen.jpg

If you're like me then you love mushrooms. I had to get a few kits to try out. These are Portabello and some White Button mushrooms. They are literally growing in a plastic lined cardboard box. I'm getting tons of good sized shrooms and they grow fast.

http://rayderphan.net/Pics/garden3-16-09/shrooms.jpg
http://rayderphan.net/Pics/garden3-15-09/portabelloshrooms.jpg
http://rayderphan.net/Pics/garden3-20-09/shrooms.jpg

I'm green too..With envy..LOL
Looks great..

Oh, I've got to have one of those mushroom kits.

Ray Der Phan, would you please share where you got the one you like the most?

I'd really appreciate that.

Forgot to say, your plants are really healthy and beautiful. You're doing a great job on your gardening.

Another mushroom fan I see :) Here's where I got them.... http://www.gardeners.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Gardeners-Site/default/Link-Keywordsearch?DefaultButton=findSimple&q=mushroom&x=0&y=0

I'm gonna get a few more. Much more earthy mushroom flavor than most store bought I have tried. Great for snacking, I just twist a few handfuls out, wipe them clean and eat them raw. Think I'm gonna make some mushroom soup soon.

Thank you for the link.

Do you have to have a controlled environment for temperature and humidity to grow from the kits?

I can't see my being able to control the temperature very well, humidity control I can muddle through.

Pugsley: Since when does California have humidity, Florida has enough of that for all the states. LOL Calf can be 100 degrees in the shade and you won't sweat a drop but here, forget it you are wet year round from either rain or sweat, either way you get and stay wet.

Ray: Your vegs look great.
joy

Thanks Tee :)



Let's hope they stay that way. You never know when things can turn for the worse. Just glad I found the problem with the Sungolds early on. It could have been a disaster. Diligence and dedication while reading everything I can about veggies is my only reason I've had some success this year and last. I thank you all for the info found here at DG. It's funny, my buddies wanted to head out to a bar tonight but I told them that it's watering, fertilizing and plant inspection day tomorrow, so I stayed home. They razzed me a bit "Dude, you're 20 years away from retirement, you shouldn't be gardening now". I respond "Sorry, I'm addicted." lol

Tell me about that dry heat!

I can use a humidifier for the humidity issue, I already have one that will work for that.

But my growing area is not air conditioned in the summer and it can get pretty hot in there, hot enough to zap the shrooms, I believe.

Nope, you should be fine. You just place the kit anywhere in the house you want without sunlight. House lights are fine as long as they're not closer than a couple of feet. These kits are pretty easy. They come with detailed instructions and if you have any questions about them, feel free to contact me. I'm on my second harvest(supposed to get 3 out of them). The second harvest looks to be very plentiful. You'll be surprised out how fast they grow once you start to see them. I twist them out before they open up and show their gills.....just a preference of mine. The portabellas can get huge. Oh, you'll want to get a simple water sprayer if you don't already have one. Gotta keep the soil moist. In the beginning I only needed to spray once a day. Now I find myself watering 2-3 times a day. Not a big deal at all. These kits are easy.



Thanks, as do yours.



This message was edited Mar 20, 2009 9:24 PM

For the past 5 years we've had a big rise in humidity. Powdery Mildew is bad here. Reason why I'm scared to plant melons and squash......but I am going to try again. Pugz is more inland than me and when her temps are 100, mine is 80 but with more a lot more humidity. The marine layer we get in the early summer is nice for cooler temps. We're in the 70's while the rest of Cali is boiling. But that marine layer brings up our humidity and it's getting worse year by year. I have a feeling the Daconil spray will come in handy. I don't want to use it but I have it ready.

My snow peas, bush beans, lima beans, green and burgandy okra, ambrosia melons, and watermelon are ready to hit the EBs I think this weekend. I have one lay flat bag left and am thinking I should save it for the watermelons?

Bob: How many watermelons can I put in one lay flat bag?
joy

None! The lay flat, I believe, are not designed for watermelon roots. Use your EBs or 5 gal bags. However, you can try just one melon in one lay flat bags and see what happens? That should work...

TPlant: Bob says I could plant 3 melons per bag, mine are the charleston Jrs so they are not the big ones; but, I also have ambrosia melons to plant also, so might just use the lay flat bag for the ambrosias instead and only do three since they are smaller. I had a lot of luck with the watermelon and the ambrosia seeds, so have a lot of melon plants, again, my sister will probably take the extras off my hands, she has 4 children, 3 live at home, and 5 grandbabies. LOL
joy112854

From this in one day http://rayderphan.net/Pics/garden3-20-09/shrooms.jpg

to this....

This message was edited Mar 21, 2009 8:32 PM

Ray: Hope my daughter isn't looking over my shoulder she loves mushrooms in everything and I can hear her already. LOL
joy

lol....show her these I harvested yesterday.

ray: I got too much going on right now, I watch her flowers for her half the time. LOL One of those deals where the child wants a pet; but, you know it's mom that feeds it and cares for it right? LOL Nice looking mushrooms though, maybe next Spring
joy