What did you do in the garden today?

[CNJ]

I’m trying a different option and using buckets under the grow light with an air pump for bigger stuff like tomatoes.

You can grow them with just a grow light and no air pump, using the Kratky method. I recommend this cover with the start up solution level at 1/4 or 1/2 inch above the bottom of the basket. The tomato plant will use the solution and the solution level will drop. Keep the air gap at least 3 inches below the bottom. My tomato plants drink more than 2 cups of solution a day, I set up a bucket with a float valve and solution reservoir, so I just fill the reservoir when needed. The float valve keeps the solution level in my buckets at about 6 inches. I use clay pebbles for the growing media and Master Blend tomato mix with calcium nitrate and epson salt. They sell them together in a bundle deal. In addition, I string multiple buckets together with 3/8 inch poly tubing and fittings (Rubber gromet, 90 elbow, cross T, straight etc). However, my set up is outside in the sun.
https://www.amazon.com/Legigo-Expan...=B0BJVDGPZF&ref_=pd_bap_d_grid_rp_0_20_i&th=1

 

[igorsMistress]

You can grow them with just a grow light and no air pump, using the Kratky method. I recommend this cover with the start up solution level at 1/4 or 1/2 inch above the bottom of the basket. The tomato plant will use the solution and the solution level will drop. Keep the air gap at least 3 inches below the bottom. My tomato plants drink more than 2 cups of solution a day, I set up a bucket with a float valve and solution reservoir, so I just fill the reservoir when needed. The float valve keeps the solution level in my buckets at about 6 inches. I use clay pebbles for the growing media and Master Blend tomato mix with calcium nitrate and epson salt. They sell them together in a bundle deal. In addition, I string multiple buckets together with 3/8 inch poly tubing and fittings (Rubber gromet, 90 elbow, cross T, straight etc). However, my set up is outside in the sun.
https://www.amazon.com/Legigo-Expan...=B0BJVDGPZF&ref_=pd_bap_d_grid_rp_0_20_i&th=1
View attachment 3386567

Thanks so much!! I bookmarked your post so I can come back to it when I’m ready.

I’m not so sure ours would work in the sun due to our daytime temps during the summer. The water would get terribly hot and probably kill the plants, not to mention the buckets will rot. Other times of year it’s a possibility though, I’ll have to give it a try.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Snow. Snow. Snow. I think we’ve been out of school more this week than we have been there. I don’t know why I live in NY.

Because it's pretty. Lol!

 

[Sally PB]

Mullen

I have mullein growing wild, as a weed here. Is it the same thing? What's it good for?

I bag up a few garbage bags & save them.

My neighbor did that. She had a great system going, made about 25 bags of leaves. There are lots of oak trees around, so she had plenty of leaves.

For anyone wondering... She got a large garbage bin, the kind that are sort of rectangular. She lined it with two garbage bags. She gets them at estate sales, so they don't cost much. She really packed those leaves in! They stack like huge bricks and make a good windbreak around the run.

This neighbor gets a LOT of her household stuff at estate sales. She goes the second day, when it's all 1/3-1/2 off and gets cleaners, aluminum foil, just... stuff you need around the house, and pays pennies on the dollar for it.

 

[Grandmas Coop]

I have mullein growing wild, as a weed here. Is it the same thing? What's it good for?

yes, the same

a medicinal plant readily found in roadsides, meadows and pasture lands and has been used to treat pulmonary problems, inflammatory diseases, asthma, spasmodic coughs, diarrhea and migraine headaches.
https://www.google.com/search?q=madicnal+used+for+mullen&rlz=1C1CHBD_enUS1031US1031&oq=madicnal+used+for+mullen&aqs=chrome..69i57.7119j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

I just caved and ordered heat mats and grow light bulbs for seed starting. Good news we got very little snow last night and a whole lot of rain. Hoping for melting today to make it easier chasing the dogs around the back yard. I witnessed the wild turkeys flying to their roosts yesterday evening. Three of them spent the night in the big oak tree over the chicken coop. They're pretty good flyers.

 

[CNJ]

Thanks so much!! I bookmarked your post so I can come back to it when I’m ready.

I’m not so sure ours would work in the sun due to our daytime temps during the summer. The water would get terribly hot and probably kill the plants, not to mention the buckets will rot. Other times of year it’s a possibility though, I’ll have to give it a try.

Yes, that's true, the heat can be an issue. I will use aluminum bubble wrap insulation from Lowes to help keep the water temp manageable. and to prevent algae growth in my white food grade buckets. I am in the process of switching to food grade buckets from Walmart.

I have a 25 gallon trash bin filled with hydroponic solution sitting outside in the sun. I have the cover and the top portion wrapped in the insulated aluminum bubble wrap. I have been taking the water temperature and concluded that the insulation protects it from heating up. The water is always cool to the touch and not an issue.

I am going to grow a Burpee giant tomato plant in the 25 gallon trash bin. I will let the solution level drop to about half way and keep it at that level. The roots will follow the solution down and create a bigger root mass which should support bigger fruit.

I am waiting for my tomato plant to get big enough to stick in the bucket.

 

[Sueby]

I didn’t have any luck with tomatoes in mine and I tried a smaller, patio variety. Herbs and lettuce do quite well though. I do suggest a larger model, the small three hole version isn’t really big enough for anything but lettuce where roots are concerned.

Tomatoes grow long roots, up a foot into soil so I feel the Aerogarden just isn’t big enough for them. I’m trying a different option and using buckets under the grow light with an air pump for bigger stuff like tomatoes.

Exactly what I’m thinking! I have a 6 hole version but would prefer the bigger one. I’ve seen some people leave some of the holes open so the plants have more room, not sure it would help with maters tho!

I’ve coaxed mine out of their run by dumping dry leaves onto the snow. (I bag up a few garbage bags & save them. Down to only 2 left!)

Thats what I do. DH mulches the leaves & I bag them up in the big HD paper bags & store them in the shed for the winter. I have 3 bags out there still since we’ve had no snow. what doesn’t get used goes in as layers in the compost pile during the summer.

All the snow melted. I can go visit my birds!

 

[CNJ]

Thanks so much!! I bookmarked your post so I can come back to it when I’m ready.

I think this guy grew his tomato plant to the fruiting stage with out refilling his nutrient solution.

 

[Elyrian1]

Froze last night. Managed to keep the water running though!

More of my homesteading youtubers are talking about Dumor/Producer's Pride and egg-laying slowdowns and dead stops. Not the preppers now, the regular homesteaders. That's when it gets worrisome.

I'm getting 5-6 eggs a day from my girls since I switched. Told hubby "Eat all the eggs! We're going to be swimming in them!" Haha!

I'm not doing much for the garden still. I give it a bit of water now and then when it's above freezing.