((Serious Gardening))

[Kassaundra]

Quote:
Yes that is correct, I am not against adding nurtients, but don't want to add processed chemicals (if that makes sense) I wasn't sure what else needed to be added.

I like the aquaponics systems alot, but was trying to experiment w/ a less costly, intense system that would still work for a shoe string budget and family size garden.

Nanakat I like the idea of t posts I'm sure I have a few lying around.

 

[Young Heritage]

You can get lava rocks or regular rocked dirt cheap,

As for the nutrients, I would think with a little research you could find a natural, cost effective way of getting the nutrients the plants need in the water. You will need Nitrogen, Potassium, and Phosphorus. Those are the most important base nutrients. there are other micro nutrients that are needed/recommended depending on what you are growing. They also need different levels of these nutrients based on the stage of growth. To high Nitrogen during harvest and the plants can die from root lockup, not enough of the other 2 and the fruit will be small and not so good. Not enough Nitrogen and too much of the others during vegetative growth can have ill effects as well.

I would highly recommend researching hydroponics and fertilizer/plant nutrition. Internet or Library are good choices. Also look for hydroponic shops near you and go talk to people there.

If you would like to PM me with any specifics I would also be glad to help. I may do some research on sources of water soluble Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. This is an experiment I am thinking about doing as well. I have only done indoors with artificial lights and organic nutrient solutions. Grow lights are just too expensive to run to supply the food my family eats.

 

[Kassaundra]

Okay here is my problem, I have a new unexpected fence I put up to protect my chickens from my little dog. I had not known I was going to put this fence in so I had not planned on what to plant along it. I had some adzuki beans, when I researched it online they were said to be warm weather lovers, but the problem is they came up looking like peas, growing like peas, blossoms like peas, and now pods like peas, so my thinking is if it quacks it is a duck. So I am fully expecting these new little plants to crash a burn in our VERY HOT okie summer (which is starting early) So I need to replant this row, late in the season (now and next couple of weeks at the latest.) I want something that will laugh at the Okie hot dry summer and either the chickens will eat or us.

I have never grown okra, won't eat it any way it can be prepared (have tried them all hate them all) but I could grow it for the chickens.

Would it be to late for okra, any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance

 

[Kassaundra]

Quote:
I put some small river rocks I had got from the river and grown greens in an ebb and flow experiment this past winter. Some were already sprouting! In just 2 days.

 

[ChicksterJo]

I am growing some okra right now (first experience) and I don't think this would be a choice as a vegetable for my chickens (if I'm not going to eat them). They are kind of slow to grow but maybe that's just how mine are doing. I would rather grow some kind of cover crop or some kind of vining plant such as cucumber. They are supposed to be a warm season crop and they mature quickly. And I don't know if chickens would enjoy the sticky okra? I don't know if it's too late for planting grape vines but those would be great if you let them leaf out; I give my chickens the leaves (they aren't sprayed with anything) and they love them!

 

[pinkwindsong]

Quote:
you have got to keep us up on the pool garden for us.. cant wait to hear how it works.. good idea...

)O(
Pink

 

[ChicksterJo]

Also with the hydroponics, you may find that you need to agitate the water using a pump or aerator. I have tried growing a habanero plant (not a great choice for an experiment..they're so hard to germinate!) using a plastic drinking cup and a small air pump. I stuck the tube into the bottom of the cup full of water and then stuck the plant on top. It was sitting on the cup using a piece of cardboard. It was working great, except I don't think I was adding nutrients. I would purchase a complete set of nutrients specifically for hydroponics. There is a great set that I just purchased that includes almost everything one needs for hydroponics or coco, and I think it was less than $30. It's like a sample box and I think the brand is General Hydroponics (their organic line). I am using a coco mix outdoors for my veggies.

 

[NanaKat]

Quote:
What about some type of pole bean or lima beans? And no it's not too late to plant okra. I wait until the middle of June to start mine anyway because Okra like it hot. I soak the seeds in buttermilk overnight and then plant.

 

[Kassaundra]

I have a confession to make (they need a red faced smiley)

Those adzukies that looked just like pea plants, well there is a reason for that, they WERE pea plants!!!!!!!!!!

I forgot I had planted a few the first few feet on each side of the gate before I had decided it was just wasting seed b/c it really was to late and to early for fall planted peas. It was almost dark when I made this realization, so I am going to double check the real adzuki plants in the morning to see how they are doing.

 

[NanaKat]

Quote:
Sounds like something I would do. The chickens will love the pea vines when you pull them out.
I like to plant sweet pea vines for the flowers and to bring in the bees to pollinate.