What am I doing?
What am I doing as tags
04/08/2008 | hugh | Comment [2]
Cough
cough da Johnsons cough cough have a blog cough. I’m seriously hoping for some of LJ’s bball trash-talk to show up on the blogosphere. He’s the funniest guy I know on the court… Supercoop comes in second with his pregnant tummy hit spin bounce trick… gets me everytime.
04/06/2008 | hugh | Talk Trash [2]
Guerilla Gardening
“I guerilla garden — what makes it on my level of care gets replanted. If the plant is too wimpy to endure my preschooler and my kamikaze schedule, I never grow it again. :) “
— veganmom30 (flickr square foot gardening group)
Quinan's favorite sleeping place
Quinan’s favorite sleeping place is next to the PlayStation 2 (and Lego Star Wars). Guess where he crashed tonight?
Our garden is growing
Our new square foot garden box is a birthday box from a home depot birthday gift card. THANKS!
We also recycled a couple long 2’x8’ boards that were on the side of the house from a long ago failed raised bed. The boards are probably about eight years old, but still strong. As the kids remind me… recycle, reuse, reduce.
I’ve been wanting to add wheels to the bottom of my boxes for a while. One purpose for the wheels to be able to rotate the box if some of the plants don’t seem to be getting enough sun. Another reason is to lift the box off of the ground so I can tell if I’m over-watering (when water runs out the bottom). Another reason for the wheels is that when I was a kid, my parents were often moving and changing their garden, an unending urge I’ve inherited. In addition to our existing 12” bricks, the wheels make moving and changing the garden relatively easy.
The wheels are attached to the bottom of a couple 2’x4’s to help distribute the weight, as I doubt that wheels attached to the plywood last long. The 2’x4’s and the wheels are also inset a bit to both distribute the weight better and to attempt to keep little feet from getting ran over. When I have decided on a semi-permanent place for the box, I’ll lift and rest the box on bricks to try and keep the wheels from getting warped or flattened.
Of course we put Mel’s Mix in the box, 1/3 vermiculite (we already had), 1/3 compost (which I can’t find and haven’t made my own, so I used gardner’s bloom that was left over from last year), and 1/3 peat moss (purchased from Star Nursery). I had a few plants in containers with potting soil, but the potting soil was so heavy and rocky that I decided to pull them out, except for the artichoke which we transplanted into the same container but with the new Mel’s Mix. I also used the slow release granulated Miracle Grow (since I don’t have compost yet).
A photo of the finished box is above with a few plants (zucchini, cucumber, honey dew melon, anaheim chili pepper, onions (moved from a container), basil and dill (moved from a container). I decided to keep the vertical structure consistent with the other boxes and picked up a couple of ten foot 1/2” pvc pipes which were bent into shape. I still need to hang the nylon netting and will probably make a flagpole later. Five squares still need to be planted.
I’ve moved ahead with the flagpole idea… but more for the enjoyment of the kids than for the use of the garden. Above is a picture of Quinan pulling the flagpole roper through the pulley. Hopefully we’ll have flags up soon. Kenn’s pea has already started growing up the guidelines and is over 5’ tall.
I wasn’t sure what to do with the old potting soil we’re not using, but after thinking about it for a while, we decided to put the soil next to the house in the triangle areas not covered by the bricks and plant ground cover, as well as a few marigolds, rosemary and cilantro. The backyard is really starting to take shape, and looks much better, now I just need to work on the part you can see from inside the house.
Jen’s (left), and Kenn’s (right) gardens, are doing great!
Jen’s box has produced a bountiful harvest of peas, lettuce, spinach and cilantro. Soon we’ll probably have carrots, and maybe strawberries. The spaghetti squash, peppers and pole bean will be taking off soon. The watermelon seems to be struggling, but I think that with the warming temperatures coming and Miracle Grow I believe it will soon take off as well.
As I mentioned above, Kenn’s box has peas over five feet tall. The asparagus is healthy and in it’s second season (we’ll harvest it next year). We’ve been eating lettuce and spinach out of her box as well. The Tomato’s have adjusted well and we’ll soon have another crop of peas and carrots from her box.
We are blessed to have been introduced to square foot gardening last year. Beyond discovering the joys of eating food we have grown ourselves, are the other joys and blessings of gardening: family unity, appreciation of work, self-sufficiency, instruction, pleasure, health, reduced expenses and love.
Garden Flagpole
04/06/2008 | hugh | Comment [2]
Talks
We’ve been asked to speak in church in a couple weeks… (sorry to ruin the surprise) any advice?
04/03/2008 | hugh | Comment [2]
The perfect raised bed
Sunset: The perfect raised bed. See how to make it in five simple steps. I like the 4×4 in the corners, and the larger pvc to hold the hoops.
Moving is Duff
Our friends Warren and Heather have had their home listed for almost a year. I’m the last person that wants them to move, but I also remember what it’s like being tight on space. If your looking for a home to buy in Las Vegas, their place is a great opportunity. Within walking distance of three elementary schools, just down the street from Fresh & Easy, and close to a number of great parks. Don’t forget they are right next to the swimming pool and fitness center, minutes away from Summerlin Parkway and the 215 Beltway south.
When they do move, scouts and activity days won’t be the same without them. Moving up and moving on is bitter sweet. Anyone know what type of goggle’s Warren’s sporting in the photo?
04/01/2008 | hugh | Comment [1]
Garden Pests
We have wonderful kids. One of the things I love about Kenn is her willingness to help in the garden, especially with tiny pests. I've seen a few holes in the broccoli and peppers for a day or two, but couldn't spot the culprit. Within seconds she was able to spy two inchworms on the broccoli and aphids on the pepers. She also takes care of the mushrooms that pop up when I water too much.
04/01/2008 | ken | Comment: cool or creepy? [1]