What did you do in the garden today?

[cj2024]

I decided yesterday that I need to be growing collard greens, so I just ordered a packet of collard seeds from Baker Creek.

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I will order the 1000-year-old bean and purple Egyptian pea from them when I get around to it.

 

[gtaus]

I used glass petri dishes with paper towels to start seed before, but it wasn't as successful as this self-wicking seed trays. If seeds don't sprout in this wicking tray, they are duds. https://www.amazon.com/Burpee-Cell-Self-Watering-Starting/dp/B00SNLOTUK?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1
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I have seen a few YouTube videos on those self-wicking seed trays. They get good reviews. Thanks for the link.

The thing I don't yet understand is that if the wicking mat keeps the plant trays constantly in touch with water, what is the difference between that and just having 1/8- to 1/4-inch of water in a 10X20 tray all the time?

 

[NewBoots]

I like to eat them raw when I water my plants. If there are only one or two, they don't make it back into the kitchen. Have you tried them raw?

Eating asparagus and sugar snap peas are my reward for getting chores done in the morning.

Currently, there is only one chick that is distinct from the rest due to having dark wing bars (yes that is one of our dogs staring at them through the window because she wants to be staring at and sniffing them constantly):

So CUTE! Pupper and all. What breed is that one with the wing bars?

I decided yesterday that I need to be growing collard greens, so I just ordered a packet of collard seeds from Baker Creek.

I love collards cooked slow and southern style, I need to find another recipe minus the bacon/hamhock, DP is wary of the processed meat factor.

Yes you do.... They are SO CUTE and fun!

You are a naughty one, @TJAnonymous!

I planted most of the tomatoes today and put the cages around them. If we get more temps in the 30s,it should be easy to get trash bags over them.

 

[Minanora]

Chicks are doing amazing! They had me giggling yesterday because I opened their brooder and put my hands in with palms up. A couple climbed up and tried to roost, and one even started climbing up my wrist and forearm! They are practicing flying. Currently, there is only one chick that is distinct from the rest due to having dark wing bars (yes that is one of our dogs staring at them through the window because she wants to be staring at and sniffing them constantly):
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What breed are those cuties?! I'm pretty sure you mentioned before but I can't remember things for more than 6 seconds.

I'll have to try the tomato technique! I had never thought to do that.

 

[pennyJo1960]

I have male and female asparagus plus the southern or creole
seed not too late to start it.

 

[Minanora]

I thought she was talking about the holes in to the mainline.
I use the tool too, when I remember to grab it lol.
But to add the sprinkler ends and the barbs into the 1/4 inch I either use hot water or a flame wand.

I have the hole punch tool, two different ones. I use both. My issue is getting the barb into the 1/4". I have the tool... It's useless. I even tried taking it apart and could not get it to actually hold the tubing to insert the barb, it just slides down the tubing and the barb just mocks me. Maybe mine is a dud, I've seen videos where it works and that just made me more mad.

Currently I use the multi tool that holds the barb in the very end and press the tubing on with pliers just far enough up the tube that the barb goes in but the tube doesn't kink while I press it. It's an art. It's time consuming. The pliers work great for inserting the finished piece into the main line hole that I punch out as well.

This new irrigation task I have, I'm putting 1/4" inline shut offs on each tube drop... Tedious, but needed; as this particular water run supplies the berries, pumpkins, chicken run misters and a few herbs depending on the time of year. Everything does at least double duty around here.

Today I had no energy. I watered, sprayed plants that are still getting eaten, put up a coat/towel hook that's actually a folding dock cleat. It's nice to finally get my coat hung when the sun comes out in the morning instead of putting it where I think there's the least earwigs. I had been meaning to get this installed for over a year. I have 5 more to put up, but this is a step in the right direction!

 

[cj2024]

I have seen a few YouTube videos on those self-wicking seed trays. They get good reviews. Thanks for the link.

The thing I don't yet understand is that if the wicking mat keeps the plant trays constantly in touch with water, what is the difference between that and just having 1/8- to 1/4-inch of water in a 10X20 tray all the time?

There is a reservoir of water that can be kept full without drowning the seeds. When I move my plants out into the morning sun outside, the reservoir of water last through the day, so I don't have to worry about them.

The wicking mat isn't sitting on water, its elevated above the water level, just one end wicks water up to keep the mat moist, so the water level is the bottom of the seed cell and only wicks water up to the seeds when needed.

 

[gtaus]

There is a reservoir of water that can be kept full without drowning the seeds. When I move my plants out into the morning sun outside, the reservoir of water last through the day, so I don't have to worry about them.

The wicking mat isn't sitting on water, its elevated above the water level, just one end wicks water up to keep the mat moist, so the water level is the bottom of the seed cell and only wicks water up to the seeds when needed.

I think I understand how the wicking pad works. I have several sub-irrigated planters and they work great. I like the whole water reservoir concept which is used in my sub-irrigated planters.

But, back to my original question, if the wicking mat is keeping the soil in the seed starting packs moist, is there any difference between that wicking mat and just having a small amount (1/8 to 1/4 inch) of water in the tray all the time? In both cases, I would think, the potting soil will absorb as much water as it can until it cannot hold any more. I don't see any method that only allows the water up to seeds when needed. It's just a matter of if the soil can absorb more water, then it does.

I could be wrong. Maybe there is a difference.

In any case, the way I first was introduced to bottom watering the net cups was to fill the tray to about 1/4 inch full of water and stop. Then you leave the net cups in the tray for a few days as they drink up all that water. When the tray is dry, you wait another day or two for the potting soil in the net cups to dry out a bit, then refill the tray with 1/4 inch of water again to repeat the cycle. Each cycle is about 5 days for me.

That's the way I did it last year and was successful. I am doing it that way this year as well and my plants are growing well.

I have been interested in making my own self-wicking seed starting trays. There are a number of YouTube videos on this DIY project. If you have some of material laying around, you might not have to spend much money at all to make your own self watering seed starting trays...

 

[Liz Birdlover]

I don't need goats, I don't need goats...

@Sally PB

Hard to resist...just look at that sheer joy & glee, a sweet young life just full of enthusiasm & exuberance. Gotta cherish the cuteness overload


I don't need goats either...but "need & want" are bickering badly right now lol

 

[Liz Birdlover]

And, of course, DH just told me he has a body to embalm before he comes home from work so he won't be home until late. Darn it!

Gotta be glad for business though...no matter what the economy, ya always got customers just dyin' for your service

(Hope no one is offended by offbeat humor)