[FarmerChad]

New to this discussion group but certainly not to gardening. Thought I would share with the group.

Each year I try something new. I have came to the conclusion that raised beds work best for me. This year I am growing, from left to right,front to back:

Pink BrandyWine Tom.
Black Beans
Big Beef Tom.
German Johnson Tom. (not doing to hot)
Just Pulled Potatoes to make room for Silver Queen Corn
Jalapenos
Pumpkin
Bell Peppers
Cantaloupe
Strawberries
Kentucky Blue Lake and Half Runners
Burpless Cucumber
Lemon Cucumber
Sweet 100 Cherry Tom.
Mountain Pride Tom.

I also have some blueberry, blackberry, and raspberry bushes, 2 dwarf apple trees and a grapevine.

Mostly I have 1 or 2 of an item, enough for some variety. Although next year I would like to grow enough for preservation, and the rest for our local farmers market.

This is the other portion of my yard... its shaped really unusual. I would like to expand my garden that-a-away. I have to really plan that area out, as it is partly shaded, unlike the area for my raised beds..

 

[Von Helman]

It looks nice,

and remember its not the size of the garden that matters but the experience you gain by growing your own food.

Good job and welcome to the board.

 

[survivalistmomma]

Welcome to the board and thank you for the pictures. I hope you have a good growing season.

 

[bridgierapa]

raspberry patch for the shady spot.

?

me love raspberries.

 

[FarmerChad]

raspberry patch for the shady spot.

?

me love raspberries.

Didn't think that raspberries would grow in the shade? Hmm.. thats food for thought. No pun intended!

Well, the maters are steadily growing, the cucumbers are 1-2 inches long. And my pepper plants have yet to flower. They are getting bushier though. Ohhh yea, corn sprouted and is about an inch tall. I figure we can can have silver queen come Thanksgiving time!

 

[Rosesandtea]

Looks good! I like the bench too.

 

[FarmerChad]

Looks good! I like the bench too.

Yeah, that bench has a story. Its cast iron on the ends and the wood in the middle needs to be re-built. But then again I kinda like it that way.

 

[letsgetreal]

Good job, those KY half runners are the creme de la creme for greazy beans in the hills of KY( mess of fresh beans, young taters and hog jowl- served with fresh maters, onions and cornbread).

 

[FarmerChad]

Good job, those KY half runners are the creme de la creme for greazy beans in the hills of KY( mess of fresh beans, young taters and hog jowl- served with fresh maters, onions and cornbread).

Ill let ya know when when the cornbread turns ripe :

 

[FarmerChad]

Looks good! I like the bench too.

Heres a better pic of that bench.

 

[bridgierapa]

is it bolted or riveted? ours is riveted...

a good chair for people with short legs. :

 

[FarmerChad]

Well, I came to the conclusion that my German Johnson mater wasn't destined to make it. It hasn't grown since I put it in the ground. Oh well. I pulled it up and sowed a few beans that I have never tried before. "Triumphe De Farcy" heirloom green beans. I only sowed 8 beans, just to give em a whirl. Supposed to be a good bean, and a fast grower. Something like 48 days. While were on the topic of green beans, my Ky Blue Lakes have really been going to town. No beans to harvest yet, but, I know for a fact that two of the vines grew over 6 inches from 7:30 AM yesterday morning thru this morning. I didn't think that was even possible! Those two vines have went over the trellis and I guess I will have to send em down the other side?

Good looking cucumber coming along. Probably pick that by Sunday I would guess.

My cantaloupe was needing to be trellised so.... I decided to fashion one real quick. It started out real simple, some scrap 2x3, and a bit of mason string. I decided that I wanted more of a net to hang the vines from. Hour or so later and voila. I have never tried to make a net before, I thought it turned out quite nicely. I learned a new craft today, never know when that knowledge will be needed. I was also thinking that I would make a dandy looking fence. I have a creek that runs along the back of my yard, the deer seem to come from that direction. It would make a nice fall and winter project. Super cheap too!

 

[FarmerChad]

is it bolted or riveted? ours is riveted...

a good chair for people with short legs. :

This one is bolted. Probably about 15 years ago I found it. It had been thrown away, someone tossed it over into a flood plane. I drug it up out of the weeds, sawed some new wood for it, and enjoyed my handy work. Wasn't until about a year ago that the boards started breaking. But I kinda like the look.

 

[FarmerChad]

Its a baby bean... as my daughter would say..

Well, the maters are just starting to soften up a wee bit. Still green though. Probably won't be ripe for a couple more weeks.

Every year, my wife and I discuss growing enough to sell at our local farmers market. Truly a dream of mine, a hobby farm if you will. I think with the shape of my yard, and the solar pattern, it might be tough. Especially without cutting down a bunch of trees that dont belong to me. Well, I had a thought. Today I was on the way to the courthouse to pay taxes on some land we own. We bought the property a few years ago to build a house, that never happened. Its been for sale since then. The lot is only a few miles away.. measures 100 by 180 feet, and a nice rural setting.

Has anyone attempted a garden from a distance? I know it has its challenges, but nothing worth having is easy, as the saying goes. Any and all input would be appreciated.

 

[FarmerChad]

Well, that dang cucumber split open overnight. Picked it this morning, guess I shouldn't have watered yesterday

After talking to some folk, and doing some read'n, I have succumb to the idea that my bell peppers may need shade. In approx 8 years, I have never successfully grew one single bell pepper! I have switched foods, changed watering habits, changed mulching methods... nothing! Simply put, shade is my last option. The sun goes directly over head of my garden, and I do mean directly overhead. The pepper plants always become green and lush, but thats it. The blossoms never seem to open.

I constructed a simple shade cloth from some scrap 2x3 and some scrap "house wrap".. were replacing the siding on our house, you always have some cut offs somewhere.. Hopefully this will do it.

 

[nveagle]

Well, that dang cucumber split open overnight. Picked it this morning, guess I shouldn't have watered yesterday

After talking to some folk, and doing some read'n, I have succumb to the idea that my bell peppers may need shade. In approx 8 years, I have never successfully grew one single bell pepper! I have switched foods, changed watering habits, changed mulching methods... nothing! Simply put, shade is my last option. The sun goes directly over head of my garden, and I do mean directly overhead. The pepper plants always become green and lush, but thats it. The blossoms never seem to open.

I constructed a simple shade cloth from some scrap 2x3 and some scrap "house wrap".. were replacing the siding on our house, you always have some cut offs somewhere.. Hopefully this will do it.

It could be too much nitrogen. Are you using a high nitrogen based fertilizer? This happens with chemical fertilizers often. It also could be a temperature problem, are your temps droping below 60? It also could be too much sun scalding the flowers.

Nice looking garden, best of luck to you.

 

[FarmerChad]

It could be too much nitrogen. Are you using a high nitrogen based fertilizer? This happens with chemical fertilizers often. It also could be a temperature problem, are your temps droping below 60? It also could be too much sun scalding the flowers.

Nice looking garden, best of luck to you.

One would assume its too much nitrogen. I really dont think so though. I use "Garden-Tone" in my garden, it seems to be a nice balance all way around. I wish it would drop to 60 : I honestly think they need some shade. Will just have to wait it out.

 

[survivalistmomma]

Extra magnesium helps the peppers set fruit.

Spray the plants (leaves) with 1 teaspoon Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) dissolved in a quart of water at blossom time and 10 days later. Seaweed or kelp works too.

Those plants do not look like they have had too much nitrogen. They would have a lot more leaves at blossom stage. Nitrogen "makes leaves."

I always considered peppers to be a full sun lover.

Don't give up! Peppers are soooo good for you.

Besides you will need peppers for your market garden.

PS, I have shaded lettuce that way in the middle of summer (and for just a few days, any transplants that get put out in the summer heat.) I like how "neatly" you have done that and the rest of your garden. The pole bean set up is really nice.

 

[MC Ain't Crazy]

Oh that's lovely. And not *just* because it's a picture of West Virginia.

Funny. My German Johnsons aren't doing too hot either. Grew like mad, but no blossoms. I know it's not too much nitrogen. I think I got overeager and chilled 'em.

Hope it works out with the peppers. I have always let the sun have at 'em (it is brutal down here) and gotten great yields... but different things work for everyone. My neighbor grows his tomatoes in part shade and gets awesome results; I try it and get leggy plants with no flowers. *shrug*

 

[FarmerChad]

Extra magnesium helps the peppers set fruit.

Spray the plants (leaves) with 1 teaspoon Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) dissolved in a quart of water at blossom time and 10 days later. Seaweed or kelp works too.

Those plants do not look like they have had too much nitrogen. They would have a lot more leaves at blossom stage. Nitrogen "makes leaves."

I always considered peppers to be a full sun lover.

Don't give up! Peppers are soooo good for you.

Besides you will need peppers for your market garden.

PS, I have shaded lettuce that way in the middle of summer (and for just a few days, any transplants that get put out in the summer heat.) I like how "neatly" you have done that and the rest of your garden. The pole bean set up is really nice.

Might have to try Epsom Salts. I agree about the nitrogen. As stated, I use "Garden Tone"... its nice and balanced as far as it goes.. I think something like 4-3-3. I thought they were full sun lovers too, but im stumped if the shade doesn't work out. After 8 years of trying, I would really like to grow some.

I try to keep things neat and tidy, helps to keep the bugs out :thumb: Also, and on a serious note, neat and and tidy improves air flow, thus reducing disease, bacteria, etc.