Author Topic: Any new projects for next season's gardens? (Read 1420 times)

bearmgc · « **on:** November 20, 2009, 09:54:52 AM »

Raking all the yards leaves this fall from my neighbors' trees, left me deciding to build a compost bin. The weather, predicted to hold out nice for the coming week, I'm seizing the opportunity to put it together . It will be 3ft square, 4ft high, made of wood discarded by my other neighbors' deck and fencing projects. I appreciate any wisdom, acquired by members, who have constructed their own compost bins, anything that would save me a "redo", from too much enthusiasm, not enough know how.
Is anybody else working on new projects for next year's garden?

Arier Blut · « **Reply #1 on:** December 13, 2009, 05:42:59 AM »

http://www.bluegrassgardens.com/how-to-build-a-compost-bin.htm

Air flow is important. I live out in the country. So my compost doesn't have a bin. Just piles I turn with the tractor. If the heat can't escape it will kill the bacteria. The process will have to start all over. Compost bins are mainly for looks so there is not a pile of trash in your back yard.

Graybeard · « **Reply #2 on:** December 13, 2009, 11:22:58 AM »

I've made wood bins before, not the best. If wood isn't PT it won't last more than a season or two if that. Make sure to leave space for air to get in. At one time when I had literally tons of chipped limbs/saplings to compost I build a bunch some 6' square and some 6'x3'.

Now I use a three section bin so I can move things down the line if I want to. Put coarse stuff on left and move it to middle and finally to right as it breaks down. I don't always use it that way tho and some times just fill them all to the brim. Mine is 4'x4'x3' tall per section so over all 12'x4'x3'. I used PT 2x4s for the frame work and wire with 2"x4" mesh on sides and back. Front has slots for 5/4"x6" PT decking which acts as the front door. I can take one or all or as many as needed out when adding and removing material. I have some photos but apparently they are on my other computer so can't be accessed right now, maybe later.

Next season we will be using a roughly 15'x60' section of a flower garden that has not been in use for awhile as a veggie garden. I've tilled it and what leaves and organic matter was there was turned under. I hope to add more leaves and till again when it is again dry and warm enough to do the job. We're trying to make use of at least most of the leaves in the yard this year but are not likely to go beyond that to rake them up. If I still had more compost bin space as I once did I'd be tempted to get more from the woods behind my house. If we get seriously back into veggie gardening I likely will make more bins and gather more leaves each year. I have more than enough leaves on my own land so don't need to get them from anyone else.

bilmac · « **Reply #3 on:** December 13, 2009, 11:35:02 AM »

It's amazing how many people have taken up gardening in our part of the world since the government has changed hands. Not many will admit being scared, but all of a sudden lots of folks who have never gardened or haven't for a long time are digging up lawn and flower beds to grow veggies.

bilmac · « **Reply #4 on:** December 13, 2009, 11:39:21 AM »

I'm going to be experimenting with heirloom seeds. I've finally got some room where I can experiment with more than one variety of the same species in the same growing season. Anybody have an opinion about Golden Bantam sweet corn?

hillbill · « **Reply #5 on:** December 13, 2009, 12:34:18 PM »

i just got sik of the bill at the grocery store is the reason i started gardening.winter stinks as i have to buy a lot more groceries,in the spring summer and fall i can pretty much live out of the garden but this time of year all thats left is some turnips.i should of planted more cabbage and spinach.new projects for next season include enlargeing the garden a little. planting different to make it easier to till. incorporateing some more compost and maybe some other stuff.

bearmgc · « **Reply #6 on:** December 14, 2009, 12:21:22 PM »

I froze alot of vegetables and pickled beets and peppers. We had a monster hail storm last 4th of July, and the next morning I pulled up alot of my Spinach and froze it. Man it turned out good! Some butter on it steamed and its a super meal. Heirloom seeds sound like a good idea to start getting these days. I haven't seen any at the stores. Wondering maybe I got to order them special.

hillbill · « **Reply #7 on:** December 14, 2009, 01:59:46 PM »

bearmgc, how did you freeze your spinach? did you blanch it first?id like to freeze a bunch this year and would love the benefit of your experience.

pmeisel · « **Reply #8 on:** December 14, 2009, 03:08:24 PM »

I don't bin my compost either, I have a spot between the shed, the fence, and the woodpile that keeps it out of sight. I turn it by hand a couple times a year....

bilmac · « **Reply #9 on:** December 16, 2009, 01:38:41 PM »

Bear Google Seed Savers Exchange. I already have next year's seeds

bearmgc · « **Reply #10 on:** December 17, 2009, 12:25:20 PM »

Hillbill, sorry I didn't get back right away, got called into work a couple time. Spinach, just cut the stems close to the leaf, and yes I did a quick blanch, then ice water, and then roll each bunch quantity for each bag or carton and squeeze out the excess water before putting into container. I use the smaller freezer/storage bags.

Thanks bilmac, I will check that out! I like the idea of having seeds on hand, and understand, that heirloom seeds can be stored.

charles p · « **Reply #11 on:** December 19, 2009, 10:41:34 AM »

Will send in a soil sample soon to see what is needed for next year. Have some compost ready and I expect to need a little lime.

Last analysis showed I needed 6-18-18, which is a tobacco fertilizer in NC. I live at the coast where our soil is almost pure sand. In the last five years I have put so much stuff in my garden plot that I actually have soil, rather than sand.

Added peanut shells this year. Chicken litter a few years back. We get lots of eel grass too.

bilmac · « **Reply #12 on:** December 19, 2009, 12:22:27 PM »

When you do heirlooms be aware that a lot of the root crops are bi annuals, meaning that they only set seed every other year. That means you have to dig the root and hold it over winter and then replant it the second summer. Since I don't have a root cellar yet it would be a project keeping things alive over the winter.

A cellar is another project for next summer.

ohio_boy · « **Reply #13 on:** January 22, 2010, 10:16:16 AM »

I'll be putting in an asparagus bed...

bearmgc · « **Reply #14 on:** January 27, 2010, 07:31:50 AM »

Ohio-boy, I'm truly envious! I love asparagus, grew up on it in Wisconsin. But here in Wyoming, it just doesn't grow well. Its gets reedy pretty early.

Graybeard · « **Reply #15 on:** January 27, 2010, 11:50:04 AM »

Wal in that case Barb I hereby grant you my share of the entire world's supply cuz I ain't eating NONE of my share and you are welcome to it all.

It does sound like what you really need out there is a green house. One of those not too huge ones with real heavy duty glass for roof and sides. Yeah I know way expensive. Sure would make gardening easier out your way and that short season you have would become as long as ya want it to be.

bearmgc · « **Reply #16 on:** January 27, 2010, 02:45:33 PM »

Heey, Thanks!

I have a great garden as it is, but a greenhouse would be super for some special stuff like asparagus. Don't see many greenhouses out this way, except for a few that people construct along the side of their houses or patio. Nothing free standing.

Graybeard · « **Reply #17 on:** January 27, 2010, 06:12:22 PM »

If you have a southern exposure along side the house lean to style would sure work. Down here ya can make them of plastic and even use PVC pipe to support the roof and it works fine. But then we see snow once ever half dozen or so years at most. Ya'll get it a little more regularly out your way.

bilmac · « **Reply #18 on:** January 28, 2010, 05:05:19 AM »

You can get clear plastic panels that match the corregations of building steel at places like Home Depot. Don't use fiberglass, they get brittle and discolor after a few years. A little pricey, but less than plexiglass, and you don't have to worry about expansion across the width. I have a 3 x 8 panel of it in the south side of my ice fishing shanty. The rest of the house is well insulated. On a sunny day it will get 85 inside when it is 20 outside.

bearmgc · « **Reply #19 on:** January 28, 2010, 08:14:26 AM »

Sounds like I may have another project in the making.

hillbill · « **Reply #20 on:** January 28, 2010, 02:35:53 PM »

just got started on my new hotbox. sunk 14 inches in the ground,, 8 ftx5ft, glass top to catch the sun. hopeing to start sum of my garden in it and get a little bit of head start.

bearmgc · « **Reply #21 on:** January 29, 2010, 04:41:04 AM »

Had hot boxes in Wisconsin, seen a few in Wyoming. Nothing like fresh greens for salad, yum! Super idea!
Watcha putting in there?

hillbill · « **Reply #22 on:** January 29, 2010, 12:24:23 PM »

well im hopeing to start sum cabbage, chard,especially squash, brussels sprouts, lettuce, maybe get some tomatoe plants early and keep them till frost is not a prob.i used it last year and it woeked pretty good but i just set it on top of the ground and piled dirt around it.im hopeing by sinking it in the ground ill gain a week or two.if i could find a tiny little heater it would be nice dureing a cold snap. hopeing to have a small greenhouse next year.

bilmac · « **Reply #23 on:** January 29, 2010, 02:30:24 PM »

Hilbil how about some heat cable in there. It is thermostat controlled.

hillbill · « **Reply #24 on:** January 30, 2010, 01:13:26 AM »

never heard of a heat cable.is it like the heat tape yu wrap around pipes to keep them from freezeing? where do yu buy them?

bilmac · « **Reply #25 on:** January 30, 2010, 03:52:19 PM »

Yeh heat tape is what I meant.

hillbill · « **Reply #26 on:** January 31, 2010, 12:39:54 PM »

thats a good idea, im going to look into that. a couple heat tapes buried in around the edge of the hot box would prob keep it from freezing. especially one with a 32 degree thermostat.

ohio_boy · « **Reply #27 on:** February 01, 2010, 07:47:00 AM »

Quote from: bearmgc on January 27, 2010, 07:31:50 AM

Ohio-boy, I'm truly envious! I love asparagus, grew up on it in Wisconsin. But here in Wyoming, it just doesn't grow well. Its gets reedy pretty early.

Yeah, my mom had a bed that went for 10 years, but it stopped producing a couple of years ago. Last summer, she said how much she missed fresh asparagus, and so I figured it might be a good idea to put one in!! That is the only way to eat it, fresh picked...