What did you do in the garden today?

[Fishychix]

Table top grow light! Its twisted around to fit under the cover. If I don’t cover my plants my cats will murder them. The other set up has bird netting over it right now.

Cool. Never of heard of them, but I probably haven't specifically looked for them either
I currently have an indoor "garden" in a 29 g. fish tank because that's the only thing I could think of to keep my kitties out

 

[WthrLady]

I was just thinking that tilling may help. I'm not sure if you are for or against tilling, but tilling down 6-8 inches would likely disperse the manure enough so that it's safer for planting. No promises you want see bolting or excessive leaf growth (lack of fruiting).

This has me thinking also, is it bad to add a nitrogen rich amendment to a bed you anticipate planting peas or beans in? Seeing as they are Nitrogen fixing plants, I'm wondering if it's better to have low Nitrogen where we plant these.

We do it all the time in prepping for bean. Except we use 1000 gallon tanks of anhydrous ammonia and injection sprayers before the beans go in the field. Temps have to be right though not too loose too much and for it to be expected, but heck ya, treat that soil!

 

[ackie]

I was just thinking that tilling may help. I'm not sure if you are for or against tilling, but tilling down 6-8 inches would likely disperse the manure enough so that it's safer for planting. No promises you want see bolting or excessive leaf growth (lack of fruiting).

This has me thinking also, is it bad to add a nitrogen rich amendment to a bed you anticipate planting peas or beans in? Seeing as they are Nitrogen fixing plants, I'm wondering if it's better to have low Nitrogen where we plant these.

I have no idea honestly

 

[TJAnonymous]

don't be! it used to be my dream too. after 4 years living here I started to look for land in the country on mainland. I cann't wait to move there but this situation keeps me here.

I'm curious why you don't like it? I've always dreamed of moving to Christmas Island and retiring. Maybe some day....

 

[WthrLady]

I'm curious why you don't like it? I've always dreamed of moving to Christmas Island and retiring. Maybe some day....

Living on an island is very isolating. You are literally trapped there and totally reliant on things being brought in. Which means you are reliant on up charges and the whim of the suppliers. Unless you are totally self-sustaining, and most people only think they are, then you are literally screwed. If you can make it to and from the island on your own to market on the mainland, you must factor all of that into the cost/time to live on the island. In many places prices rise and fall for tourist on and off seasons. It's not all coconuts, hammocks, and sunshine.

 

[WthrLady]

I have no idea honestly

I have found tilling to be destructive. While in some places it is needed initially to break down clay sods, it really disturbs and destroys the layered biome of what you are trying to promote. Then you have to amend and suppliment the soil and hope it all settles back out. While tilling year after year looks nice, it is a lot of work.
I was shocked the year I dumped 2 ton of hay on my patch of virgin prairie earth you couldn't put a shovel into it was so dense, and came out in the spring with black gold. It composted all winter, brought the earth worms up and let them do their thing, smothered the weeds/grass, and gave me the richest soil I've had i a long time. OC then I built a barn over that spot. LOL

Moved the garden and repeated the process. but still.

 

[Artichoke Lover]

Cool. Never of heard of them, but I probably haven't specifically looked for them either
I currently have an indoor "garden" in a 29 g. fish tank because that's the only thing I could think of to keep my kitties out

I had a laundry basket over mine for awhile

 

[ackie]

OC then I built a barn over that spot. LOL

hahahah of course

that's awesome though

our soil is red Georgia clay. with lots of rocks!

 

[TJAnonymous]

Living on an island is very isolating. You are literally trapped there and totally reliant on things being brought in. Which means you are reliant on up charges and the whim of the suppliers. Unless you are totally self-sustaining, and most people only think they are, then you are literally screwed. If you can make it to and from the island on your own to market on the mainland, you must factor all of that into the cost/time to live on the island. In many places prices rise and fall for tourist on and off seasons. It's not all coconuts, hammocks, and sunshine.

I never said I thought it was like a 24x7 vacation. Not in the least. I guess I was raised to always be self-reliant so I look at EVERYTHING through that filter. I live in a very rural area now and have been building my own off-the-grid cabin and homestead. I know island living is a little different but I'm not totally clueless. I'm just saying that there are some people who prefer that type of lifestyle. I'm one of them.

 

[Artichoke Lover]

hahahah of course

that's awesome though

our soil is red Georgia clay. with lots of rocks!

We got lucky with good soil here but we had to till it a lot unfortunately. Our property had been used as a watermelon farm about 20-30 years ago and no one smoothed to ruts out. There’s an area on the back of the property with 30ft pines growing out of watermelon ruts it’s a little crazy.