What did you do in the garden today?

[gtaus]

I'm debating on adding more raised beds.

Add more raised beds. I've never regretted it.

 

[Iluveggers]

DW and I cleaned up outside a bit. There's so some work to do, but we took down a10'x6' trellis and began extending our tunnel trellis. We pulled a bunch of dead weeds and dried up stems and burned them along with old wooden posts I cut up.
I'm debating on adding more raised beds. I still dream of a greenhouse too though and don't want to put beds in the only spot left where a greenhouse would make sense. I'll need to really think that through....

You could always put a greenhouse over a raised bed or two later!

 

[Ascholten]

Add more raised beds. I've never regretted it.

It's like chicken math, what can go wrong ?? ! ??

Aaron

 

[BReeder!]

You could always put a greenhouse over a raised bed or two later!

I am thinking of having on or two short raised in ground beds (just 2x4s or 2x6s made into a box on the ground).

I'm looking at the 6x8 harbor freight greenhouse right now. With a $40 off coupon that's available I can get the build kit for $359+tax. I've researched these greenhouses before, and with some reinforcement and anchoring I think it would work out for my needs.

I think I could get a 2ftx8ft bed on one side and on the other side a rack for starts and/or pots and a potting table. It wouldn't have electric, but I could run a heavy duty cord from the outlet in our shed. Water would be a hose or bucket, although we have considered running a buried line to the garden and installing a hydrant so we could have water near the garden and chickens. The distance from the house is just about 60ft though and we have a 100ft hose.

 

[WthrLady]

I am thinking of having on or two short raised in ground beds (just 2x4s or 2x6s made into a box on the ground).

I'm looking at the 6x8 harbor freight greenhouse right now. With a $40 off coupon that's available I can get the build kit for $359+tax. I've researched these greenhouses before, and with some reinforcement and anchoring I think it would work out for my needs.

I think I could get a 2ftx8ft bed on one side and on the other side a rack for starts and/or pots and a potting table. It wouldn't have electric, but I could run a heavy duty cord from the outlet in our shed. Water would be a hose or bucket, although we have considered running a buried line to the garden and installing a hydrant so we could have water near the garden and chickens. The distance from the house is just about 60ft though and we have a 100ft hose.

I have that one. It needs more than anchoring, but all is doable.
Every panel needs additional bolting to the frame I used very short steel barn screws with rubber gaskets preattached as not to snap the plastic panels.
Vents need added around the bottom and supports need added to the top vents to hold them open securely.
And any hail larger than nickels blow right through. The panels also start to fog after one summer, just an fyi.

 

[BReeder!]

I have that one. It needs more than anchoring, but all is doable.
Every panel needs additional bolting to the frame I used very short steel barn screws with rubber gaskets preattached as not to snap the plastic panels.
Vents need added around the bottom and supports need added to the top vents to hold them open securely.
And any hail larger than nickels blow right through. The panels also start to fog after one summer, just an fyi.

I intend to reinforce it for sure. I was expecting to have to put added slats across the panels to keep the from popping out and bracing in the corners to prevent it from flexing/twisting. I have automatic openers for the roof vent because I was planning a greenhouse build before. I wonder if those secure three vent better to your point. Haul is not common hear and usually pea sized if we do get it. Wind is the real concern as we do get bad storms every now and then so I want to secure it to the ground and keep the panels from blowing out.

As for bottom vents, I'm curious what solution you came up with. Did you add a louver or sliding panel? Or just cut holes?

 

[WthrLady]

I intend to reinforce it for sure. I was expecting to have to put added slats across the panels to keep the from popping out and bracing in the corners to prevent it from flexing/twisting. I have automatic openers for the roof vent because I was planning a greenhouse build before. I wonder if those secure three vent better to your point. Haul is not common hear and usually pea sized if we do get it. Wind is the real concern as we do get bad storms every now and then so I want to secure it to the ground and keep the panels from blowing out.

As for bottom vents, I'm curious what solution you came up with. Did you add a louver or sliding panel? Or just cut holes?

I bought those plastic dryer vent covers, the ones with the little bird screens that slide on the bottom. I traced the hole on the plastic and then cut the plastic out with a small craft knife. I inserted the vent cap and screwed it to the plastic and then caulked the cap and around the cap/hole. The caps can be blocked off by PVC pipe test caps that have the little ridge sanded off. I have 5 on the bottom and one on the top. This year, I am also moving a temperature controlled fan to the end to draw air, since I took down the larger garden greenhouse, and have it sitting here. I've not had ANY problem with the panels popping out using their clips and the additional screws.
Hail happens. I just topped the holes with gator tape.
Like this - although a PVC elbow would work as well. (I keep my door shut and these let enough air in with the vents cracked to keep extreme heat in check)

 

[WthrLady]

@BReeder!
http://dunrovinstation.blogspot.com/2021/08/the-greenhouse-one-week-project.html

not sure all my upgrades are on there, but It's a start

 

[CNJ]

I am thinking about using pelleted gypsum for my tomato plants, instead of pelleted lime. Does anyone have any experience with this gypsum product in the picture?

I was doing some research and found out that lime has calcium, but it increases the ph of the soil and a tomato plant was on the list of plants that doesn't like alkaline soil. Where as gypsum also has calcium, but it doesn't affect the ph of the soil, so its better for tomato plants.

I am kind of mad at the people on YouTube who influenced me to use lime in my potting mix.

On second thought, I think I will use the Epsoma Soil Acidifier that I have, it has gypsum pellets in it and a lower ph may be beneficial for nutrient absorption. This product hasn't been burning my plants and it says it doesn't on the label.

 

[jerryse]

Where did you order your grapes from? I want to order a red and a green table grape, seedless if possible. I'm going to get some vines from my neighbor in a couple months.

I asked her what kind of grapes she has and she thought for a moment and said, "...purple...?"

Indiana berry you might also look at AA vineyards.