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]
Can Ford afford a redesign?
My favorite first of April undertaking at Brand New.
04/01/2008 | hugh | Comment [1]
Confession of a Fitness Slacker
I’m guilty, I haven’t been running for three weeks.
I had allergies/cold and then basically just got lazy and lost the confidence to run 10 minutes, walk 1, four times.
This afternoon I “made” Michele “make” me go running. She thought I should go back a couple weeks (possibly the run 5 walk 1 eight times). I decided to try to keep on schedule (most because 10-1-4 was four minutes shorter).
The temperature was perfect and my legs weren’t nearly as tight as normal. I ended up making it the whole way. YEAH! When I walked in the door Michele looked at me and asked if I just walked the whole way. I must have looked pretty good (good as in not sweaty or red-faced).
Tonight I’m super happy and looking forward to running on Wednesday. I’m also looking forward General Conference and having new audio to listen to.
03/31/2008 | hugh | Comment [3]
Garden Flagpoles
In our Square Foot Garden, we’re using bent PVC pipe with nylon netting for vertical plant support (see picture). This will be our first year with the netting, but I think it’s going to work really well. My only concern is that it’s only four foot high. Last year our tomatoes easily could have grown five foot high and our watermelons six foot or more. Our solution last year was to route the watermelon across to the other side, which shaded the plants.
So how do I grow higher. with this configuration? This morning I had an idea… how about putting a flagpole in the center? This morning, while checking on the garden with the kids, an idea popped into my head. How about putting a flagpole in the center of the box? Okay, not an actual flagpole, but a piece of PCV pipe about six to eight feet tall.
I could push the bottom into the soil, slide it in between the nylon netting and zip tie it to the top of the existing support pipe. The top could be tied with four (or eight) pieces of twine, each one anchored to the four lower pipes. The climbing plants (watermelon, squash, beans, etc.) could grow up could the twine really high. The lower structure with the netting could hold all of the heavier fruit. The best part is that the kids could make flags to fly on the pole.
What do you think, crazy, genius, error-prone, not enough shade?
03/30/2008 | hugh | Comment [3]
We have a winner!
Last week we posted (what I think is) our first Roper5 contest… the Garden Quiz.
Drum roll please… our winner is… Kim S. (Michele’s sister) from Provo, UT. Kim, look for a your Rubios Gift Card in the mail.
The above photo shows, Dave, Kim (light blue shirt), Dan and Michele working on their pumpkins in their childhood garden. Has Kim always had a green thumb? Anyone want to date this photo?
03/30/2008 | hugh | Comment [3]
J&K Cafe
Tonight we had a wonderful dinner at the J&K Cafe.
Highly recommended!