Slow update.

It's been a cold and very wet spring this year so far. I had great hopes of having stuff in the ground and already harvesting some early spring items, but alas Mother Nature has other ideas! My indoor seeds have done well with the exception of the broccoli and brussel sprouts. Looks like we we will have a break in the weather this Wednesday and I should be able to get things transplanted and seeds in the ground.

Did get both trellises installed and got the new tomato patch ready for the transplants along with some zucchini plant!!  The trellis for the cucmbers and sugar snap peas is way bigger than I thought it would be.. Things are slowly coming together, need to seriously look into a hoop house for some early spring /late fall plantings!!

Beds are raised and a cold front comes through..

Finally was able to get out in the garden and start raising the beds up. This will give more if the raised bed look as well as make it easier for my boys to get in and do some work. It also added almost 38 Sq feet more in growing space....much better utilization of my space. Still need to add some topsoil and mix it in with the leaves and grass clippings from last fall. Will still dig down about a foot into the clay in hopes of amending it quite well!

Had planned on getting things seeded last week, but we have had 3 nights of hard freezes here in Indiana....  Really hope it warms up, my indoor seeds are getting g big enough to start the transplant process!!

Things are starting to get moving in the garden!

Since my first set of seedlings did'nt quite take off as planned, (thats what I get for rushing things...) I re-started things about 3 weeks ago.  With work, spring break with my oldest and a little bit of me just being a little lazy I am finally posting some updates on the garden.  I have gotten a much better start now that I have my grow light up and running (another freebie from my Aunt Joyce). The one thing I have learned is that the homemade seed pots do 2 things really well...retain water & inhibit some mold around the bottoms of them.  Not sure how this will effect things, but so far I don't think it will impact it too much.  Here is list of what I have started indoors so far (will probably be all I start due to warm weather approaching fast for direct sowing)

Better Boy Hybrid Tomato
Big Boy Hybrid Tomato
Snack Attack Cherry Tomato
Sugar Snap Pea
Broccoli
Brussell Sprouts
Salad Slicer Cucumbers
Pickle Bush Cucumbers
Carnival Blend Sweet Peppers
Italian Pepperoncini Peppers


I decided to do the onions as direct sow this year again, just getting a much earlier start to it. Should have the beds ready in a few days, but that is for another post!  As usual my oldest, Farmer Elijah has been begging me to get started in the garden this year. So excited to see his excitement for growing some food! We are already almost a month ahead of last year, so hoping we can hit the 100lb mark for harvested produce.

Till next time,

Jon

 

All 3 boys helping out.

Onions Sprouting & more started.

Since it's 65° out, moved the plants to a window sill.  Things are starting to pick up with seedlings!

Onions Planted.

Got the first 18 Golden Grande Onions started a couple of nights ago. 2016 is under way!! First pic is right at planting, second pic is today in the window sill. Need to pick up my new grow light from the parents house this weekend.

Getting ready for 2016.

Decided to make my own seed pots this year.  Used toilet paper rolls and paper towel rolls. 29 made in my first batcj, need a total of 64 to get things started this year. Next post will be this year's vegetables and am expanded layout too.

Fall cleanup and setting up for next year.

Doing my fall cleanup while the weather is nice. Middle of November and still 63 outside.....next year building a hoop house...should be able to harvest through mid November.

Big changes for next year, adding 33 more growing squares and moving the tomatoes and zucchini to a location outside of the garden.  Also raising the beds up by one more 2x4, in hopes of getting a better soil mix and drainage.

Still need to finish raising the beds and getting more compost and soil in the beds before snow falls. Not to mention fix the deer fence....we have a strat cat that has chewed a hole through the fence to dig in the garden.

Till next time!