First off, the Broccoli and Cauliflower were outgrowing their hoop covers as shown in earlier posts. So we created a tent with PVC and were able to wrap the cover around them to keep the vicious cabbage moths away. Those critters will ravage the small plants in a matter of days. When the plants are larger, we will take the tent down. I'm betting neighbors are wondering what on earth we are growing in there. But I want to keep these plants protected because with all the rain, there is nothing "natural" that I can treat them with, without the treatment being washed away in the rain. I refuse to use crop pesticides. Won't do it. I didn't want to cut all the PVC down, so that top support piece, is 10 ft long. The plants outside of the tent are my bush beans that are finally looking a bit better. They were quite yellow and shriveled a little over a week ago. Used Blood Meal the first week, and then 10-10-10 this week, brought their coloring and new growth back in line.
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| Tent to protect broccoli & cauliflower |
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| Other side of tent |
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Next, the lettuce plants in the buckets in the greenhouse are, absolutely, to die for. I've been using the special liquid 10-10-10 on them, as well. I honestly have never had my lettuce looking this wonderful. That's one seed, yes one plant per five gallon bucket! The cilantro is also doing very well this spring.
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| Buttercrunch Lettuce |
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| Salad Leaf Lettuce |
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| Two Red Sails |
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| Cilantro |
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Struggling still with the squash and the cucumber plants. I planted more in the cloth pots in the green house, while also planting some in small pots in the new "mini" growtent that we got on sale. The special light is helping to start our plants indoors MUCH better. As you can see from the green house pots, only the squash in one (of two) buckets came up, and there are two cucumbers, one in each bucket that came up. And let's just say I OVER planted the seeds in there this time. Part of the issue is the inconsistant temps, too hot, too cold and not enough sunlight. Then, compare them to the seed I started in the growtent, and Santa Vaca, what a difference. Today, I planted some dill, basil and lavender seeds in an egg carton. Will see how long that takes for them to sprout and then I can put them out into the garden soon.
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| Greenhouse Acorn Squash |
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| Greenhouse Cucumber Start |
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| Growtent Cukes & Squash Starts |
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| Just plantes Dill, Lavender & Basil |
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Potatoes are starting to bloom, so that's an indication that they are almost done. The Strawberries are starting to get ripe. I think we will actually get some this year. I had to put petroleum jelly on the bottom lip of the buckets to keep the ants out. So far, so good. Again, used the special organic liquid 10-10-10 on these berry plants, and we should have some nice sized berries this year.
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| Potatoes are Blooming |
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| Berries are turning red!!!! |
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