My 2014 Spring Garden

[sixdogs]

Yes, plant a little later and odds improve. During the occasional hard rains and crusty soil. we have used watering cans to keep the soil wet and easier for the seedlings to break though. So far, it works for me.

 

[Travis_R]

Yes, plant a little later and odds improve. During the occasional hard rains and crusty soil. we have used watering cans to keep the soil wet and easier for the seedlings to break though. So far, it works for me.

I agree.
What I will eventually do is buy a set of 3 point pallet forks and a used "polly tote tank" that are always for sale locally on craigslist and add a long water hose to it.

 

[sixdogs]

I agree.
What I will eventually do is buy a set of 3 point pallet forks and a used "polly tote tank" that are always for sale locally on craigslist and add a long water hose to it.

You can also put plastic barrels in a bucket loader and tap them for a garden hose. I put three barrels in my JD5520 and can water everything that needs watering. One bucket in a smaller loader would work as well. Be careful not to flip over.

 

[Travis_R]

You can also put plastic barrels in a bucket loader and tap them for a garden hose. I put three barrels in my JD5520 and can water everything that needs watering. One bucket in a smaller loader would work as well. Be careful not to flip over.

Good idea but I don't have a loader. I have a couple 55 gallon drums but they had diesel in them. I also have a 16 gallon ATV spot sprayer that a water hose will hook to, but 16 gallons isn't near enough.

 

[sixdogs]

Good idea but I don't have a loader. I have a couple 55 gallon drums but they had diesel in them. I also have a 16 gallon ATV spot sprayer that a water hose will hook to, but 16 gallons isn't near enough.

Put on that thinking cap Travis...get one plastic 55 gallon drum ($5-$7) and put a drawbar on the tractor. Set as much of the bottom of the barrel on the drawbar and lean it towards the back of the tractor. Then chain it down. The barrel fits in the "nest" created by the 3PT hitch. Relax, I've done it.

Wait--first drill a hole in the side near the bottom and fit in a petcock and adaptor for a garden hose.

Now, fill that puppy with water, hook a hose to it and you have more water than you can shake a stick at.

 

[Travis_R]

Put on that thinking cap Travis...get one plastic 55 gallon drum ($5-$7) and put a drawbar on the tractor. Set as much of the bottom of the barrel on the drawbar and lean it towards the back of the tractor. Then chain it down. The barrel fits in the "nest" created by the 3PT hitch. Relax, I've done it. Wait--first drill a hole in the side near the bottom and fit in a petcock and adaptor for a garden hose. Now, fill that puppy with water, hook a hose to it and you have more water than you can shake a stick at.

My thinkin cap looks like it's been ran over by a Bush Hog several times. Man that is SUPER ADVICE! Never thought about that. I've had a drawbar for about 5 years and it's been used maybe 3 times. So thanks to you now I'll have a use for it. I have plenty chains and chokers. Just gotta find a barrel now. THANK YOU.

****EDIT****
I have a 55 gallon plastic drum with a lid but it has a little old diesel in it. Not sue how to get it clean or if it's even worth trying to clean it.

 

[DJ54]

Have you ever tried Compost Tea..?? Here are some pics of bird house gourd vines I applied it to. These particular batch's were made from composted horse manure. Although the garden spot was at optimum nutrient levels according to the soil tests, there was no chemical fertilizer used here. As you can see, it did pretty well. The last picture of the vine heading out the row was the last I got of it. However, it grew another 25-30' in length. The only reason it stopped, was the frost killed the vine. I estimated total length of about 80' long.

I also experimented with composted leaves from a local village, and bagged mushroom compost from a big box store. All did wonders for what I grew. A batch can be made every 3 days. I graduated from 5 gallon buckets, to a 35 gallon trash can. May get one of the 350 gallon totes from a buddy of mine, and make enough to do the whole garden at once. Neighbors have a spring that flows 400,000 gallons in 24 hrs., and have no problem with me getting water. Figured it would be a lot easier on things to fill it with my high output sump pump, than my well pump. Same water, as I'm tapped into that seam of water.

Just trying to get away from using chemical fertilizer if I can, at least on the garden.

 

[grnspot110]

My onion sets are sprouting & the first peas are just breaking ground today! ~~ Lowell

 

[sixdogs]

Travis--Not positive on this but I think hot soapy water and a scrub brush will take the diesel out. You'll have to try it. Liquid dishwashing detergent such as Joy works the best. I sort of think this will work.

 

[motocephalic]

OK, I'll post my bad news: I was wondering why my seedlings were so leggy getting no sun I have big windows and they have the whole window to bask in. My mothers plants, were flourishing growing at twice the rate : I figured it out why, my windows are the new-fangled low E ,argon filled windows and blocks the sunlight from getting through. lesson learned, build a greenhouse with regular glass.

BAD NEWS TODAY.

I'm frustrated to say that every row except the potatoes has been re-tilled. From all that rain we got and the cold spell we had, all the seeds rotted.
Long story short, my Grandfather came to look at the garden. The crust on top of the rows was so thick the sprouts couldn't come thru even if they wanted to. We dug around and found no seeds. This makes 2 years in a row that I had to replant. Yes I'm aggravated and let down but it could be a whole lot worse. I have an aunt dying of pancreatic cancer, so having to re-plant a garden is nothing.

WHAT DID I LEARN? PLANT ON GOOD FRIDAY OR AFTER EASTER!!!

Told myself I was posting the good, bad, ugly, or whatever this year brings. So here it is.