Today: Showers, High of 50
Saturday: Sunny, High of 61
Sunday: Sunny, High of 69
Monday: Showers, High of 52
Tuesday: Showers, High of 53
Wednesday: Showers, High of 59
Thursday: Partly Cloudy, High of 60
Friday: Partly Cloudy, High of 56
Saturday: Showers, High of 52
Sunday: Sunny, High of 58
I think based on this forecast I might wait till next week to plant my seedlings. I don't want them to get water logged or get too cold. So I am going to hold off until the showers next week pass.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Spacing and Planning
Tomatoes: Tomatoes need approximately 2 feet in between each plant. This is for staked tomato plants which is the way I think I am going to grow my tomatoes. Tomatoes like warmer temperatures, so I will plant them on the sunny half of the garden.
Zucchini: One healthy plant about two feet apart. Zucchini like moderate temperatures, so for spacing purposes they will go on the shady half.
Cucumber: One plant every 12 inches. Cucumbers like to be warm and will be on the sunny half.
Peppers: One plant 18 to 24 inches apart. Peppers will not fruit if it is too hot, so I will plant the on the shady half.
Spinach: Spinach plants can be within a couple inches of each other. It also makes harvesting easier when they are closer.
Lettuce: Seedlings can be planted about 4 inches apart.
After looking at these spacing needs I think I am going to plant my seeds long ways, rather than the original idea of planting them perpendicular to the fence. I will post a picture of my new plan soon. I am going to plant the spinach and lettuce at the very end, perpendicular to the rest of the garden. The fence makes a corner and more shade at the end. Spinach and Lettuce like cooler temperatures and will do better mostly out of the sun.
"Tomato - Vegetable Directory - Watch Your Garden Grow - University of Illinois Extension." University of Illinois Extension-Urban Programs Resource Network - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. University of Illinois. Web. 29 Apr. 2011..
All of the info is from this University of Illinois Vegetable Dictionary, but i have here only the tomatoes cited.
Zucchini: One healthy plant about two feet apart. Zucchini like moderate temperatures, so for spacing purposes they will go on the shady half.
Cucumber: One plant every 12 inches. Cucumbers like to be warm and will be on the sunny half.
Peppers: One plant 18 to 24 inches apart. Peppers will not fruit if it is too hot, so I will plant the on the shady half.
Spinach: Spinach plants can be within a couple inches of each other. It also makes harvesting easier when they are closer.
Lettuce: Seedlings can be planted about 4 inches apart.
After looking at these spacing needs I think I am going to plant my seeds long ways, rather than the original idea of planting them perpendicular to the fence. I will post a picture of my new plan soon. I am going to plant the spinach and lettuce at the very end, perpendicular to the rest of the garden. The fence makes a corner and more shade at the end. Spinach and Lettuce like cooler temperatures and will do better mostly out of the sun.
"Tomato - Vegetable Directory - Watch Your Garden Grow - University of Illinois Extension." University of Illinois Extension-Urban Programs Resource Network - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. University of Illinois. Web. 29 Apr. 2011.
All of the info is from this University of Illinois Vegetable Dictionary, but i have here only the tomatoes cited.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Garden and Compost
I bought some organic soil from Home depot and put it in my plot. I underestimated how much soil I was going to need. I bought 6 bags and have come to find that i need around 8 more. I am going to go buy some more tomorrow and fill it in this weekend. The weather seems to be holding sort of constant so I may plant some of my seedlings or some new seeds directly in the ground. I want to see if this has any effect on the plants.
I have gotten my compost walls to a height I am happy with for now. I threw some sticks and some dead leaves in the bottom (the base for a good compost) and will begin to throw food waste into the pile. That will take a while to be usable so I am going to use my previous compost as soon as I have all the soil laid.
On Sunday there is a compost fair at Cooperative Extension from 12-4. I am going to see if I can learn anything new by attending.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Researching some local food
These are a variety of things that I thought I should check out. They all have to do with local food, which is something I thought would be interesting to look into.
regionalaccess.net
eatingithaca.com
Lex Chutintaranond
Bandwagon
Xeo (Say-Oh) GO HERE!
Baking: From My Home to Yours
regionalaccess.net
eatingithaca.com
Lex Chutintaranond
Bandwagon
Xeo (Say-Oh) GO HERE!
Baking: From My Home to Yours
Red flag 4/14
How much time did you spend on your project?
5 hours
What did you do that was hands on?
I did some serious work on my new compost pile and got a lot of the base dug out and some of the walls built. I wantto build it taller so it has a larger capacity. This may need some mortar but I am going to build it free standing for now.
What research did you do?
I did some plant companion research, about which plants go well together, an help each other grow.
Did you meet with your mentor? What did you talk about?
Yes. We talked about setting some 2 week goals for the rest of the project. Now that it is warming we talked about thinking about lighting and spacing of the plants, as I get ready to put them in the soil. We also talked about finding someone to interview, a local gardener.
Do you have at least 3 journal entries? Do they include planning, recording activities, and reflecting?
Yes. Yeah it has hands on and some reflection.
Were you in class on this week? Did you have and use your journal?
Yes. I had my journal but did more work spent reading kyle's blog and doing some research for him.
Do you think your fulfillment of WISE requirements was Inadequate? Adequate? Good? Excellent? Explain.
Good. I did some good hands on work and finished up all my research but found some new things to research so tree is a new list.
What are your plans for week?
-Research plants, light, spacing
-interview someone
-make 2 week plan
5 hours
What did you do that was hands on?
I did some serious work on my new compost pile and got a lot of the base dug out and some of the walls built. I wantto build it taller so it has a larger capacity. This may need some mortar but I am going to build it free standing for now.
What research did you do?
I did some plant companion research, about which plants go well together, an help each other grow.
Did you meet with your mentor? What did you talk about?
Yes. We talked about setting some 2 week goals for the rest of the project. Now that it is warming we talked about thinking about lighting and spacing of the plants, as I get ready to put them in the soil. We also talked about finding someone to interview, a local gardener.
Do you have at least 3 journal entries? Do they include planning, recording activities, and reflecting?
Yes. Yeah it has hands on and some reflection.
Were you in class on this week? Did you have and use your journal?
Yes. I had my journal but did more work spent reading kyle's blog and doing some research for him.
Do you think your fulfillment of WISE requirements was Inadequate? Adequate? Good? Excellent? Explain.
Good. I did some good hands on work and finished up all my research but found some new things to research so tree is a new list.
What are your plans for week?
-Research plants, light, spacing
-interview someone
-make 2 week plan
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Goals for this week
This week's goals:
- Build new compost pile higher/ possibly finish
- Lay base soil in the plot
- If the current compost is thawed enough in the middle, I will place it on top of the layer of new soil
- Research strawberries
- Build new compost pile higher/ possibly finish
- Lay base soil in the plot
- If the current compost is thawed enough in the middle, I will place it on top of the layer of new soil
- Research strawberries
Seedlings
It is kind of hard to see how big they really are due to the closeness of my camera but my seedlings are coming along very nicely and have really been enjoying the warmer weather we have had this week. So far only my lettuce, spinach, and tomatoes have sprouted. Hopefully the others will pop up soon or I can plant them in the soil in their egg cartons.
Layout for Garden
Here is the layout I have designed for my garden. I have found in my research that strawberries are helpful to some of the plants so I am going to add those in to the garden. I was happy to find that as strawberries are one of my favorites.
Riotte, Louise. Carrots Love Tomatoes: Secrets of Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Charlotte, VT: Garden Way Pub., 1981. Print.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Compost Pile
I dug out an area for the new compost pile and then with the bricks that I tore up I have begun to build a wall to house the new pile. I want to make it at least 2 or 3 times the height it is now. the only problem with that is that I have to make sure that the walls are sturdy enough to hold the compost once the pile starts to grow. I am going to experiment with some different ideas in terms of construction to see what is the best.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Red Flag 4/8
How much time did you spend on your project?
3 hours
What did you do that was hands on?
I haven't done any hands on but this sunny weekend will allow me to do some work outside.
What research did you do?
I finished all of my seed research. I need to do some more in-depth research on how the plants I have chosen work together.
Did you meet with your mentor? What did you talk about?
No. My mentor was out this week but we had an email conversation about what I should do this week and talked about my blogging. I have to keep doing more but the research that I completed will help me to keep moving forward.
Do you have at least 3 journal entries? Do they include planning, recording activities, and reflecting?
Yes. My journaling was heavily research this week, but I will do some more hands on this weekend.
Were you in class on this week? Did you have and use your journal?
Yes. I had my journal but I didn't write anything. I know that I need to find something for a class mate to research so I may write about that once I find something.
Do you think your fulfillment of WISE requirements was Inadequate? Adequate? Good? Excellent? Explain.
Good. I got a lot of research done and it is supposed to be nice this weekend so I will be able to get outside.
What are your plans for week?
-Sketch Plan for garden
-research compatibility of plants to arrange them appropriately
-work on ne w compost pile
3 hours
What did you do that was hands on?
I haven't done any hands on but this sunny weekend will allow me to do some work outside.
What research did you do?
I finished all of my seed research. I need to do some more in-depth research on how the plants I have chosen work together.
Did you meet with your mentor? What did you talk about?
No. My mentor was out this week but we had an email conversation about what I should do this week and talked about my blogging. I have to keep doing more but the research that I completed will help me to keep moving forward.
Do you have at least 3 journal entries? Do they include planning, recording activities, and reflecting?
Yes. My journaling was heavily research this week, but I will do some more hands on this weekend.
Were you in class on this week? Did you have and use your journal?
Yes. I had my journal but I didn't write anything. I know that I need to find something for a class mate to research so I may write about that once I find something.
Do you think your fulfillment of WISE requirements was Inadequate? Adequate? Good? Excellent? Explain.
Good. I got a lot of research done and it is supposed to be nice this weekend so I will be able to get outside.
What are your plans for week?
-Sketch Plan for garden
-research compatibility of plants to arrange them appropriately
-work on ne w compost pile
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
A New Trick
I heard this from a friend.
If you take a yogurt cup and fill it with beer and then push it in to the ground then it will attract slugs and snails away from you plant and in to the beer. The sugars that are present are far more delicious than the plants. You can use a few around the whole garden.
If you take a yogurt cup and fill it with beer and then push it in to the ground then it will attract slugs and snails away from you plant and in to the beer. The sugars that are present are far more delicious than the plants. You can use a few around the whole garden.
Zucchini
-largest variety of shapes and sizes in the cucumber family, of which zucchini is a member
-generally eaten when at an immature state
-night temps of at least 59
-wait till soil is warm
-individual planting containers (egg carton cells) will help reduce shock of temperature fluctuation when planted
-well worked soil with good drainage
-evenly moist, make sure they always have water
-squash bugs, squash borers, and cucumber beetles
-good choice for organic gardener
-maintain general health and cleanliness of garden to avoid disease
Little, Brenda. The Encyclopedia of Vegetable Gardening. Sandy, UT: Silverleaf, 2006. Print.
-generally eaten when at an immature state
-night temps of at least 59
-wait till soil is warm
-individual planting containers (egg carton cells) will help reduce shock of temperature fluctuation when planted
-well worked soil with good drainage
-evenly moist, make sure they always have water
-squash bugs, squash borers, and cucumber beetles
-good choice for organic gardener
-maintain general health and cleanliness of garden to avoid disease
Little, Brenda. The Encyclopedia of Vegetable Gardening. Sandy, UT: Silverleaf, 2006. Print.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Compost Lecture 3/28
Adam Michaelides
Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardener
multiple types of composting styles (stealth composting, worm bins, traditional)
Why?
Keep food out of the land fill
land space is being wasted
leachate from landfills can cause water problems
save money (fewer trash tags), money for city
gardening (full of nutrients, water retention)
How? WATER, OXYGEN, NITROGEN, CARBON
Lasagna Layering
-avoid compaction
-keep "greens" towards middle
-not too wet, avoid mushy
stirring compost can resolve anerobic decay
Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardener
multiple types of composting styles (stealth composting, worm bins, traditional)
Why?
Keep food out of the land fill
land space is being wasted
leachate from landfills can cause water problems
save money (fewer trash tags), money for city
gardening (full of nutrients, water retention)
How? WATER, OXYGEN, NITROGEN, CARBON
Lasagna Layering
-avoid compaction
-keep "greens" towards middle
-not too wet, avoid mushy
stirring compost can resolve anerobic decay
Peppers
tasteful garden: epsom salts help enrich soil with magnesium which helps peppers thrive. mulching is very helpful due to shallow roots. about 2 feet diameter around each plant.
Brenda Little:
-named by Columbus while he was in search of black pepper.
-same family as tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, and tobacco
-prefer soil temp above 64 degrees, daytime temp around 77
-do best in soil with high organic matter content!
-evenly moist soil but not wet
-shallow rooted plant, so weed carefully
-aphids, cut worms, and borers
-pinch out aphid infested foliage
Little, Brenda. The Encyclopedia of Vegetable Gardening. Sandy, UT: Silverleaf, 2006. Print.
Ada Shimar. "Growing Sweet and Hot Peppers." Tasteful Garden - Tomato Plants, Herb Plants, Pepper Plants and Vegetable Plants for Organic Gardening - The Tasteful Garden. Web. 04 Apr. 2011. http://www.tastefulgarden.com/.
Brenda Little:
-named by Columbus while he was in search of black pepper.
-same family as tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, and tobacco
-prefer soil temp above 64 degrees, daytime temp around 77
-do best in soil with high organic matter content!
-evenly moist soil but not wet
-shallow rooted plant, so weed carefully
-aphids, cut worms, and borers
-pinch out aphid infested foliage
Little, Brenda. The Encyclopedia of Vegetable Gardening. Sandy, UT: Silverleaf, 2006. Print.
Ada Shimar. "Growing Sweet and Hot Peppers." Tasteful Garden - Tomato Plants, Herb Plants, Pepper Plants and Vegetable Plants for Organic Gardening - The Tasteful Garden. Web. 04 Apr. 2011. http://www.tastefulgarden.com/.
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