tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77700045497951628532024-03-14T01:19:09.298-07:00Been Gardening...Bin GardeningA place to share container gardening experiences, various growing methods, and garden photography.Karalee @ BGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03517521678330110132noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7770004549795162853.post-62792703685740393222015-07-02T20:40:00.000-07:002022-09-29T05:03:20.608-07:00Wood Chip Gardening<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Several months ago, I watched a documentary film about a
gardener named Paul Gautschi who has discovered an organic, sustainable method
of gardening. He has been a gardener for over 55 years and is considered a
master arborist by his community. He has raised food for his family of 7
children, and to give away to friends. He gives numerous <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGyuNZ8JkrU" target="_blank">tours of his gardens</a>
and orchards to both local and international visitors.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The film, <i><a href="http://www.backtoedenfilm.com/" target="_blank">Back to Eden</a></i>,
was co-directed and co-produced by Dana Richardson and Sarah A. Zentz. The
method is basically growing fruits and vegetables in wood chips, and Paul has
had impressive results. After watching this film, I was very interested to try
this technique and I proceeded to watch every video I could find on YouTube of
people who have had success growing in wood chips. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The first step was to call our local power company to
request to be on a waiting list for free wood chip delivery when they would be
in our immediate area doing tree removal work. We did so and waited about one
month, all the while clearing a spot for the anticipated truckload delivery.
Once the chips arrived and were dumped into a tall pile, I began spreading them
around with a hoe and shovel until the pile was about 2 feet high.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The pile sat from fall until spring, decomposing until it
was only about one foot high. I added a bag of organic garden soil and fertilizer where I wanted to plant
zucchini and melon seeds. The seeds were planted and watered and they germinated
in about a week. I continued to keep the seedlings moist until roots were
established and the plants had their second or "true" leaves. There
have been almost no weeds, only an occasional sapling that is easily removed.
Only minimal watering is required; I have watered the plants 2-3 times this
season when we have had an extended period of no rain. We have harvested
zucchini a few times and are currently waiting on the melons to mature. So far, this may
be my favorite way to garden! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here is a slide show documenting our experience in creating a
wood chip garden. Hope you enjoy! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_1565756784"><br /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Blessings on your gardens,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Karen</span></div>
Karalee @ BGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03517521678330110132noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7770004549795162853.post-4623570084800991982015-07-02T18:32:00.001-07:002015-07-02T18:33:27.608-07:00Hügelkultur and Bin Gardens, part 2: The one-year follow-up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Over a year ago, I wrote about our </span><a href="http://beengardening2.blogspot.com/2014/05/hugelkultur-and-straw-bale-gardening.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Hügelkultur</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> gardening experiment and am happy to report that we had a productive year with our project. My husband and I created the garden bed in May 2014 and we enjoyed tomatoes throughout the summer, followed by a harvest of garlic and onions that grew through the winter, and now (July 2015) carrots that were planted in early spring. The bed required very little water - only when seedlings or bulbs were first planted.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomato plants and marigolds in Hügelkultur bed</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Several weeks later</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuB8kk3CmAzaJG49VIJcgukY0AdT_rm-Z66EpFRWUcIblot3sE2doO7Wfb65_CuKoPKmw2qzLNZdzVU3XdTJZmMAARxbSd6W9JHGL0PV0f9YuhXHFUmWXRj6L7JSEFBXEegpaIiIr18KI/s1600/IMG_1168a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuB8kk3CmAzaJG49VIJcgukY0AdT_rm-Z66EpFRWUcIblot3sE2doO7Wfb65_CuKoPKmw2qzLNZdzVU3XdTJZmMAARxbSd6W9JHGL0PV0f9YuhXHFUmWXRj6L7JSEFBXEegpaIiIr18KI/s640/IMG_1168a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beginning of fall - cleared tomato plants out and planted garlic</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Added onions to grow through the winter <br />
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Carrots growing from seed started in the spring<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomato and garlic harvest (above) from Hügelkultur bed<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Also, the deck garden with our homemade self-watering bins did well this past year. We grew lettuce, herbs, and strawberries over the winter, and have added sweet peppers this summer.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCjd2bUy5rfoPUKveX8g7IracaOY7V1S9G9HfN_UWwaew1-6RW0il6mJFCDLAC55nnDDMoeBWDuJkSZUrkscW76wleS6cid8TuKfZ6CijR9G0GSlA4Sd__N3RKESD8DvUIa8IyJwYVDk/s1600/IMG_2486a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCjd2bUy5rfoPUKveX8g7IracaOY7V1S9G9HfN_UWwaew1-6RW0il6mJFCDLAC55nnDDMoeBWDuJkSZUrkscW76wleS6cid8TuKfZ6CijR9G0GSlA4Sd__N3RKESD8DvUIa8IyJwYVDk/s400/IMG_2486a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parsley growing throughout the winter in Georgia<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Strawberries and herbs in self-watering bins </span><br />
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Pepper plant growing in bin</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is the third year we have used these bins on our deck. I have added a bit of soil to each bin as needed, as well as slow-release organic fertilizer in early spring. So far, there has been no cracking and very little wear and tear on the containers (other than some color fading). Please <a href="http://beengardening2.blogspot.com/2012/03/homemade-self-watering-bin.html" target="_blank">click here</a> for more info on making these self-watering containers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happy gardening to you!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Karen</span></div>
Karalee @ BGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03517521678330110132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7770004549795162853.post-63004976433162888982014-05-23T21:44:00.000-07:002014-05-23T23:19:23.415-07:00Hügelkultur and Straw Bale Gardening Projects<div class="MsoNormal">
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My family recently asked what I wanted for Mother’s Day, and
I replied that I would like straw bales and soil. They used to look at me
strangely when I made such requests, but they now understand that May is always
about gardening at our house. My husband came through in a big way – he went
out to do some errands and came back in a large Home Depot rental truck with 30
bales of wheat straw and about 600 pounds of soil and mushroom compost. It was
the perfect gift!</div>
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There were 2 gardening methods I had been wanting to try for
awhile: Straw bale gardening and raised bed <i>Hügelkultur
</i>gardening. This delivery gave me all I needed to get started. I decided to
focus on the Hügelkultur<i> </i>spot first. Hügelkultur
translates to “hill culture” and this method has been used in Germany for
centuries. Basically, you dig a trench and fill it with wood debris of
different sizes, adding green brush or any organic source of nitrogen, then add
top soil, and let it “settle” for a few weeks. The branches at the foundation
of the garden help retain moisture, reducing the need for irrigation, and the
space between branches helps to improve drainage. As the tree branches break
down over the years, nutrients are released into the soil, reducing the need
for fertilizer (though extra nitrogen may be needed when the wood is first
decomposing). </div>
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Here is a slideshow showing how we created these two types
of gardens in our yard. In researching various ways to build the Hügelkultur
beds, I visited several permaculture sites and used what I thought were the most logical ideas. For straw bale gardening advice, I read Joel Karsten’s excellent website (he is a horticulturist and author of <i><a href="http://strawbalegardens.com/store/straw-bale-gardening-book" target="_blank">Straw Bale Gardens</a>).<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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I will post a follow-up article once the beds are planted.
Hope you enjoy the slideshow!</div>
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Blessings,</div>
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Karen<br />
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Karalee @ BGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03517521678330110132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7770004549795162853.post-51171040105670902862014-04-10T13:24:00.000-07:002014-04-10T14:27:04.364-07:00Indoor Composting using the Bokashi Method<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bokashi kit from Sunwood</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Did you know there is a way to turn your kitchen scraps
(including meat and dairy) and houseplant waste into an organic compost soil
conditioner? It is done by a process called </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Bokashi </b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(the anaerobic fermentation
of organic waste) in an airtight bucket designed to prevent flies and
unpleasant odors. You layer your food scraps in the bucket and add a </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bokashi </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">inoculant, usually a combination
of wheat bran combined with molasses, along with “friendly” or Essential Microorganisms
(EM).</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The layers ferment for about 10
days, breaking down the scraps enough to add to the outdoor compost bin without
attracting rodents and other vermin. This is a quick way to break down food
waste and it is ultimately beneficial to the garden (and prevents all the food
scraps from unnecessarily ending up in a landfill.).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Japanese farmers have used the Bokashi method for
generations. Dr. Teuro Higa was an agricultural researcher from Japan who
believed there was a better and more natural way to manage plant growth without
relying on chemicals. He discovered Essential Microorganisms (EM) and combined
EM with Bokashi, achieving excellent crop yields. In 1993, Dr. Higa wrote <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/An-Earth-Saving-Revolution-Volume/dp/B009DI4VPK/ref=sr_1_1?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1397155078&sr=1-1&keywords=An+earth-saving+revolution" target="_blank">An Earth Saving Revolution: Solutions to Problems in Agriculture, the Environment, and Medicine, Vol. I </a> </i>which describes the history and discovery of Essential Microorganisms. <span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I purchased the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sunwood-Life-Bokashi-Compost-Kit/dp/B004GY0C0Y" target="_blank">Bokashi compost kit from Sunwood</a> which had everything needed to begin the process. Another similar product is the <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/KTP-B100-Seasons-Composter-5-Gallon/dp/B000TKHJAU/ref=sr_1_2?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1397159429&sr=1-2&keywords=bokashi+composter" target="_blank">All Seasons Indoor Composter </a></i>- a 5-gallon container made from recycled plastic
soda bottles. It has a strainer inside to allow
moisture from decomposing matter to be drained into a reservoir, and there is a
spigot on the front of the bucket to drain the nutrient-rich Bokashi liquid.
The liquid or “tea’’ can be diluted and used as a slow-release fertilizer in
the garden or as an inoculant to introduce beneficial microorganisms to the
compost bin. It is recommended to have two buckets – one that stays closed and
ferments for 10 days while the other is used to collect scraps.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Compost tea draining from the spigot</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plenty of compost tea to dilute for fertilizer</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dried Bokashi can be made or purchased. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">All Seasons</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> has a </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/SCD-Probiotics-C100-Seasons-Innoculant/dp/B000UPQGAI/ref=sr_1_1?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1397159254&sr=1-1&keywords=all+seasons+bokashi" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">blend by SCD Probiotics</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">which is advertised as a soil enhancer,
compost accelerator, and odor controller. It is used as a natural means to
promote germination, flowering, and fruiting in plants, as well as improving
the soil environment. To make your own supply, visit the </span><a href="http://www.cityfarmer.org/bokashi.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">City Farmer </span></a><a href="http://www.cityfarmer.org/bokashi.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">website</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
for some excellent instructions on homemade Bokashi.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you want to bypass the step of finishing the
decomposition process in your compost bin and add your fermented Bokashi scraps
directly to your garden spot, you can bury the fermented scraps and wait a few
weeks for them to fully decompose before planting. Bryan McGrath from <a href="http://www.prokashi.com/" target="_blank">ProKashi </a>has made several instructional videos on improving the soil through the Bokashi
method, including an introduction and follow-up on his homemade <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UUe6_0PIcs" target="_blank">Soil Generator </a></b> – a bin or container with an open
top and bottom, placed on top of bare soil for the purpose of collecting
Bokashi (or regular food) scraps to complete the decomposition process without
any required digging. I tried this with an 18-gallon storage bin with fair
results, but really needed a higher volume of organic material to fill the bin.
In my next attempt, I will take Bryan’s suggestion of using a 5-gallon bucket
for a soil generator. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I use the Bokashi method off and on, when I remember to buy
or make the inoculant. I love the natural cycle of using food scraps and
Bokashi tea to enhance the soil to grow nutritious food without chemicals and
fertilizers. I like not adding more waste to the landfill, and I am definitely
for adding beneficial microbes to the garden soil. For me, it has been worth
experimenting to improve the rate of composting and the harvest results. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnn493DpUcfm-LHC3iQ8KUuxtGnqmVwsBVg6pqMq-OKRazQIj9NRRnUNlf5i4YYN4WlVle1XwKAk7cF1H8U0Z89G1637pq8pvuwzw4np6CoDtiiq_eIwTk40nhFv6I052OYAcf3hd5dmc/s1600/IMG_4309a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnn493DpUcfm-LHC3iQ8KUuxtGnqmVwsBVg6pqMq-OKRazQIj9NRRnUNlf5i4YYN4WlVle1XwKAk7cF1H8U0Z89G1637pq8pvuwzw4np6CoDtiiq_eIwTk40nhFv6I052OYAcf3hd5dmc/s1600/IMG_4309a.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Until next time, blessings on you and your gardens!</span></div>
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Karalee @ BGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03517521678330110132noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7770004549795162853.post-1778648500815684702014-03-13T14:53:00.002-07:002014-03-25T21:04:07.128-07:00Outdoor Compost Bins <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWeGPUp62Ba4ASqXGvC4VVnHgDTdMcrwHKH-wz5dSSNszmJgzwzNV_KNPmpN0aLz4yWVLy-oqd8tJpKTvK5K7SBIEfM4a4YRyeHY3VNBvVFKFPpx0ZLOBKKllCdFwW8ikG-UbVL7WRE-A/s1600/IMG_4807a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWeGPUp62Ba4ASqXGvC4VVnHgDTdMcrwHKH-wz5dSSNszmJgzwzNV_KNPmpN0aLz4yWVLy-oqd8tJpKTvK5K7SBIEfM4a4YRyeHY3VNBvVFKFPpx0ZLOBKKllCdFwW8ikG-UbVL7WRE-A/s1600/IMG_4807a.jpg" height="536" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After several years of trying various composting methods, I have settled on two types of composting that work best for our household and garden size. For outdoor composting, my favorite bin is the <i><a href="http://geobin123.com/" target="_blank">Geobin</a>,</i> and for indoor composting, I use the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/SCD-Probiotics-K100-Composter-Tan/dp/B003ANMBKQ" target="_blank">SCD Probiotics K100 All Seasons Kit</a> with Bokashi<i>.</i> In this post, I will first mention the various outdoor containers and methods that I have tried with only fair results:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We started with the simple method of having two exposed compost piles located along our fence border, about 100 feet from the garden. One pile was for smaller material such as grass clippings, leaves, ashes, straw, and plant-based food scraps; the second pile was for weeds, small twigs, and clippings from bushes – basically, things that might need longer to break down. We turned the first pile once a month. It did yield some compost, but poison ivy infiltrated the heap and we basically abandoned it. We allowed nature to take its course (no turning) with the second pile of larger organic matter which took a couple of years to decompose.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Several years ago, our local extension office sold (at a discount) cube-shaped black plastic compost bins that had some ventilation holes at the top, and a trap door at the base to release the compost that was finished. We purchased two of these bins – one for depositing current plant matter and a full bin that was left to “cook”. These containers also created some good, usable compost until fire ants (rampant in GA) found the food scraps and discovered that this shelter was a perfect place to build large mounds. The ants were resistant to our watering and turning the pile; when disturbed, they always seemed to come back in bigger numbers. We grow organically, so we did not want to use insecticides of any kind, and did not want to introduce the fire ants in this compost to the soil in our vegetable garden. We eventually gave those bins away.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A friend gave us a large cylindrical compost tumbler that is mounted on a frame and has a handle for turning the compost. We tried it for a season, but the compost became extremely heavy to turn, and inside the tumbler, we must have had too much nitrogen as the finished compost had a sludge-like consistency.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I did some research, hoping to find the most efficient outdoor home composting system, and discovered an excellent <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lCVcv04K5Y" target="_blank">comparison study</a> done in 2008 sponsored by the Dave Wilson Nursery with UC Sacramento Master Gardeners, county extension agents, and university farm advisors facilitating the test. They compared 10 different compost bins for greatest efficiency and ease of use. Over 8 weeks, they used the same materials, same time intervals, and evaluated the temperature and air circulation, as well as doing a nutrient analysis of the finished compost. The design that placed first among the ten bins was the <i>Geobin</i> made by Presto. <a href="http://geobin123.com/">http://geobin123.com/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is a large, open, standing bin with many circulation holes (no lid). Because of the size (higher mass) and holes for circulation, the compost in the Geobin reached the highest temperature (140 degrees F) of the ten bins, and also broke the material down most efficiently.</span></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6TXNq2tEP9yh0yrhFDbguaq1GOQ7BWdNH8ReP7-T55w60NbI73hL8O6dlHrXG1E56rKc3eJ-3GgZiAPRpwQi67MlRpLicvvTUOXYsK59Ueg4z3fqd91-iwyU2YwWeXV8tDdo_NobqWY/s1600/IMG_3111a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6TXNq2tEP9yh0yrhFDbguaq1GOQ7BWdNH8ReP7-T55w60NbI73hL8O6dlHrXG1E56rKc3eJ-3GgZiAPRpwQi67MlRpLicvvTUOXYsK59Ueg4z3fqd91-iwyU2YwWeXV8tDdo_NobqWY/s1600/IMG_3111a.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Geobin</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I purchased this bin and have been very happy with it. The <i>Geobin</i> composts so quickly, it never stays full for more than a day or two. I keep it in the garden next to our deck where my family can easily empty food or garden scraps every night. Other than attracting slugs (usually found where there are large pieces of decomposing plant matter), pests and odor have not been a problem (occasional bees, birds, and butterflies will visit when there is fresh fruit on top). I turn the pile about once a week and so far, the ants and poison ivy have left it alone, probably due to the heat generated inside the bin.</span></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwsmtZ0_6xqsGSvDJ8DFg9dLTzs1I1ryCzwH6f-O_Qhp_VHfKvsNAIefGwUZW8MYHytn698Chw0SvuTxnVeASFroucxtli8WgYeol_arz-bpu2R9eY1hdACX6nGv1ZvwAw-V-jrYbMCg/s1600/IMG_4806a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwsmtZ0_6xqsGSvDJ8DFg9dLTzs1I1ryCzwH6f-O_Qhp_VHfKvsNAIefGwUZW8MYHytn698Chw0SvuTxnVeASFroucxtli8WgYeol_arz-bpu2R9eY1hdACX6nGv1ZvwAw-V-jrYbMCg/s1600/IMG_4806a.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Seeds germinating in fertile compost pile</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I wondered at one point last year how to get the finished compost out of the bottom of this large bin if I didn't want to wait until the entire pile had decomposed. I decided to simply lift it up to see if it could be easily moved once compost was in it. To my surprise, the compost stayed in place while I relocated the bin. The majority of the material was fresh at the time this picture was taken, so it held its form perfectly (no spilling over).</span></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgizz-aCBA2LJnZddENS5oycRI5GqPkgfRtdI2mkW8gPBEg7wjs_W5MbqjOchiMZQjKFureOuDEWNCvDga48HgpuFmH9MZvKeBrNTMPSylpGWu87mWHQP6d7XsOMZ1hdeCzXave-cF-VgY/s1600/IMG_6033a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgizz-aCBA2LJnZddENS5oycRI5GqPkgfRtdI2mkW8gPBEg7wjs_W5MbqjOchiMZQjKFureOuDEWNCvDga48HgpuFmH9MZvKeBrNTMPSylpGWu87mWHQP6d7XsOMZ1hdeCzXave-cF-VgY/s1600/IMG_6033a.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Compost heap holding its shape after moving the Geobin (summer 2013).</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This material turned into beautiful, rich dark compost in less than 6 months. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Xb0QfIm0Qpw9S6sh8FOhp88_ojxn9_syptTUpdA9qk_iqzP0ktnWZlBYHwEQx0rhNqWNOpl5uk58lzggkQfmnsjPJ1ggOpIexz5Htbgv-hpXAuxNYwyTjzBGytEoIVHE-lskGmOP_04/s1600/IMG_5668a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Xb0QfIm0Qpw9S6sh8FOhp88_ojxn9_syptTUpdA9qk_iqzP0ktnWZlBYHwEQx0rhNqWNOpl5uk58lzggkQfmnsjPJ1ggOpIexz5Htbgv-hpXAuxNYwyTjzBGytEoIVHE-lskGmOP_04/s1600/IMG_5668a.jpg" height="537" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">March 2014 - The lower, finished part of this pile consists of the grass clippings, etc., from the previous summer.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I used a pitch fork to transfer the unfinished material back to the relocated bin, and was able to use the finished compost at the bottom for garden beds. It was a much easier process than I expected. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLvHP6tMrfNVtmyjPt8YHdgdUDVyWpslM3s6i6-dRsbWgaWEhgCSv_uEL0F5eL8dQUO_qPkYcCPXDaV51K9IblgpX9tJ0wF4AfiQfaFGKaENAGjzOuGXYVQwNEc6I03mf-mJy7hgTZNs/s1600/Compost+2014a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLvHP6tMrfNVtmyjPt8YHdgdUDVyWpslM3s6i6-dRsbWgaWEhgCSv_uEL0F5eL8dQUO_qPkYcCPXDaV51K9IblgpX9tJ0wF4AfiQfaFGKaENAGjzOuGXYVQwNEc6I03mf-mJy7hgTZNs/s1600/Compost+2014a.jpg" height="368" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished compost ready to add to the garden<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJgJjD5i0802KEswYdrCPy9gTqvYfNYUFVBry_aXi_sqKnwQKPJgRkk2G7PB3A9NsiMsymSfwWCrb1FNUa6REa6biJ0Czo_1ng3K0gwOehgl0s62GyMKZ0HchnQKwJVY7X_Atqlbsz2Co/s1600/IMG_5716a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJgJjD5i0802KEswYdrCPy9gTqvYfNYUFVBry_aXi_sqKnwQKPJgRkk2G7PB3A9NsiMsymSfwWCrb1FNUa6REa6biJ0Czo_1ng3K0gwOehgl0s62GyMKZ0HchnQKwJVY7X_Atqlbsz2Co/s1600/IMG_5716a.jpg" height="640" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Compost applied to the tomato beds</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Geobin made excellent compost in a reasonable amount of time, and I am anxious to see how well our tomatoes will grow in it this year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The design below was bound to happen when passions of music, gardening, and photography coexist in one mind! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bwexCeU9Vf2VSqEDwv_kbWSYKyFHHLv6HnqiEQz1hoCeBQfWS_psd9iwVRUfjpbhxu2MZxcrClzbYufBBxlnI9Kl_frMiRBx_a-MfuWeRE8bKSFq5LZXUHonM4fUAXDbDtee1PEWcBY/s1600/IMG_5669ab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bwexCeU9Vf2VSqEDwv_kbWSYKyFHHLv6HnqiEQz1hoCeBQfWS_psd9iwVRUfjpbhxu2MZxcrClzbYufBBxlnI9Kl_frMiRBx_a-MfuWeRE8bKSFq5LZXUHonM4fUAXDbDtee1PEWcBY/s1600/IMG_5669ab.jpg" height="496" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My musikgarten</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Please stay tuned for part two of this blog series when I share experiences and techniques for indoor composting. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Blessings on your gardens! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">~Karen</span></div>
Karalee @ BGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03517521678330110132noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7770004549795162853.post-15200910963409397872014-03-07T20:25:00.000-08:002014-03-07T20:25:09.568-08:00The Bird Food Garden<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Many
gardeners enjoy bird watching and reaping the benefits the birds provide by keeping populations of insect pests under control. To attract birds to the garden, it helps to
provide water for drinking and bathing, as well as a supply of wild bird seed
to supplement their diet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 16.866666793823242px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homemade trail mix</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I
found that the many bird visitors to my feeders were eating faster than I could
keep the containers filled, so I decided to do an experiment, and hopefully,
save some time and money.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Empty feeders after 2 days</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I
let the seed that fell from the feeders germinate and grow around the poles and
feeders. I never prepared the ground or watered the seedlings – I just let
nature take its course and didn’t interfere by mowing or weeding that small patch
of sprouting millet, safflower, corn, and sunflowers. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It created a bit of a messy garden spot for a season, but it
was definitely worth it to have back-up food available when the feeders were
empty, and to see the birds enjoying their organic seed buffet.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green buds full of seeds</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cardinal snacking in the rain</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still visiting in fall</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bursting with seeds</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leftover seeds for the winter</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Providing bird seed through the year at no extra cost was effortless and rewarding! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many blessings to you, garden friends! ~Karen</span></div>
Karalee @ BGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03517521678330110132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7770004549795162853.post-43914955215152140842014-01-03T20:31:00.001-08:002014-01-03T20:31:14.558-08:00Homesteading “Light”, Part 2: Winter Garden Beds<br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: medium;">I love that we can still enjoy planting and harvesting crops year-round in Georgia (and many other places). It is just a matter of knowing what and when to plant for your growing zone and microclimate of your garden location. In this post, I will discuss cool weather crops I planted in prepared soil beds, rather than bins, and my reasons for including other gardening techniques.</span> <br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: medium;">I have thoroughly enjoyed gardening in bins on our deck for several years. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ryNEybdvHJ8/UseIQ4Y1_VI/AAAAAAAAA1w/Y6kbQ8k0WLU/s1600-h/IMG_8796a%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8796a" border="0" height="337" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-05uSAEMEozY/UseIRgRB3eI/AAAAAAAAA14/EoCFOJjnEBU/IMG_8796a_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8796a" width="451" /></a></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: medium;">I have also kept a garden plot in our yard for larger, more sprawling crops like melons, cucumbers, beans, etc. Last year, I wanted to experiment with growing unusual varieties of tomatoes, cukes, melons, beans, and heirloom flowers. I like the convenience of being able to pick fresh garden produce right outside the kitchen door while preparing meals (which the deck garden has provided). When I needed more space for the new varieties, my husband and I extended the growing space to surround the deck. I marked the new garden spaces by arranging a brick border, then we tilled up the </span><span style="color: black; font-size: medium;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: medium;">lawn and added some fencing, creating another small garden at the bottom of our deck stairs. Here we enjoyed a season of tomatoes and beans surrounded by a border of marigolds and sweet basil (which helped to deter some garden pests).</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: medium;">When the warm temperatures ended, I decided to plant some cool-weather crops. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: medium;">In our growing zone, crops that have survived the winter (for us) are broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, garlic, onions, celery, Swiss chard, kohlrabi, perennial herbs, and lettuce, to name a few. Planting these required only moderate preparation; I removed debris from the previous crop since</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> pests might overwinter in the soil (also a good reason to rotate crops),</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gWNJBqs__jk/UseIfwVzFwI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/IbWl4CvsxGI/s1600-h/IMG_6535a%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_6535a" border="0" height="286" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2Y3ZgZQVQ7k/UseIgqdEzZI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/NPHAFfC0qgI/IMG_6535a_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_6535a" width="451" /></a> <br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: medium;">and added some composted horse manure from a nearby stable, then raked leaves into a garden wagon and covered the beds with the leaves. </span> <br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Z907_ooYqfQ/UseIhxDGc4I/AAAAAAAAA3g/vPdGC2bsYmc/s1600-h/IMG_7166a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7166a" border="0" height="349" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-t2nj4O4FVBY/UseIisuff1I/AAAAAAAAA3k/NqgER2Mt_YY/IMG_7166a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7166a" width="465" /></a></span> <br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2ocPEG130eQ/UseIkTOZnVI/AAAAAAAAA3w/4OkvJC2yaPc/s1600-h/IMG_6694a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_6694a" border="0" height="322" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-e65CsanpnL8/UseIlEQO1WI/AAAAAAAAA34/fZmxJWxyzvg/IMG_6694a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_6694a" width="482" /></a></span> <br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: medium;">I put several bales of wheat straw around the beds to make some obvious paths for walking which kept the soil in the beds from being disturbed or compacted. </span> <br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: medium;">The organic matter caused the earthworm population in these beds to multiply, adding beneficial worm castings to the soil. The only downside of this practice was the increase in the slug population in the soil - more on that in a future post. Overall, the soil was rich in beneficial microorganisms and it produced healthy vegetable crops all year long.</span> <br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-A5yHBPJnCa0/UseIyw42yfI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/-ifWITTyNhI/s1600-h/IMG_8414a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8414a" border="0" height="185" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oM7PgP8xuXg/UseIzW-1hqI/AAAAAAAAA5U/tEBTrroiGJM/IMG_8414a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8414a" width="244" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vgOFG7B6BKA/UseI0dcq0TI/AAAAAAAAA5g/ftRoMtq09W4/s1600-h/IMG_3887a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3887a" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KyU-9Geah8I/UseI0w3QujI/AAAAAAAAA5k/fAmWDmrT25s/IMG_3887a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_3887a" width="244" /></a></span> <br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UjAiFSphL-A/UseI1sgaxDI/AAAAAAAAA5w/3cHUiZxPZt4/s1600-h/broccoli%252520collage%252520a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="broccoli collage a" border="0" height="145" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nEmqBxnn7Do/UseI2KnrwKI/AAAAAAAAA50/dYHr74aNjeY/broccoli%252520collage%252520a_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="broccoli collage a" width="496" /></a></span> <br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Uu0RH3CDxhg/UseI3rFC4LI/AAAAAAAAA6A/LSrpbRb5gG8/s1600-h/IMG_8716a%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8716a" border="0" height="192" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ffkzXNRav-4/UseI4PAOkVI/AAAAAAAAA6E/_-oh0YiXTMw/IMG_8716a_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8716a" width="244" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XBia8g4NOk4/UseI5xxzf9I/AAAAAAAAA6Q/hnafQyjiTJk/s1600-h/IMG_8717a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8717a" border="0" height="193" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IV_C6Au6NAk/UseI6T-zSaI/AAAAAAAAA6U/zkfMR0B2oV8/IMG_8717a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8717a" width="244" /></a></span> <br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UyHhhIMTBaw/UseI7dFVm1I/AAAAAAAAA6g/8Sr0wtFEe-E/s1600-h/IMG_8360a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8360a" border="0" height="213" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vlk7Q1jh8d0/UseI7yyF0zI/AAAAAAAAA6k/sk8mdC3eaOY/IMG_8360a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8360a" width="244" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PKWe01tgnLM/UseI81gwQsI/AAAAAAAAA6w/3o6v74KetNU/s1600-h/IMG_8361a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8361a" border="0" height="209" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6sfN6XhjkCU/UseI9C3wNTI/AAAAAAAAA60/MpB2CktmexA/IMG_8361a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8361a" width="244" /></a> <br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: medium;">It has been wonderful to supplement meals with fresh, organic, non-GMO vegetables for only the cost of seeds and a bit of time and attention. Now to peruse all the seed catalogs to plan for the spring garden! </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: medium;">Blessings to you, dear garden friends!</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: medium;">~Karen</span><br />
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<br />Karalee @ BGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03517521678330110132noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7770004549795162853.post-64703528754763478572013-08-06T15:05:00.002-07:002013-08-06T15:05:50.934-07:00Homesteading "Light", Part 1: Growing Food <br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">We live in a rural, but growing area where several of our friends and neighbors have productive farms with various livestock and large crops from which they make their living. We love being situated on a street amidst farms and land that have been in the same families for generations. </span> <br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Even after living here for 18 years, we have never been “complete homesteaders”. In fact, the list of things we don’t do is bigger than the list of things we do according to some definitions of homesteading. I don’t apologize for not doing it all – my family simply isn’t wired to engage in every aspect of homesteading and we are okay with that. I write this to encourage folks who are interested in growing food, cooking from scratch, and working with elements of nature in your own yard.</span> <br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">If it is any consolation to those who are hesitant to try a modified homesteading lifestyle: </span> <br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">· We didn’t build our house; we bought a simple older home that needed some finishing. </span> <br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">· We don’t own a tractor (though it definitely would have come in handy on some days); we </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> have hand tools and a small tiller.</span> <br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">· We don’t chop our own wood for heat (we buy it locally as needed), though we do use our </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> wood stove on very cold days. We also don’t use any other alternative energy; we are on </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> the grid.</span> <br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">· We don’t raise animals for food, but try to buy local organic meats when possible.</span> <br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">I must admit that I am impressed by our friends here who do it all and learned these skills at a young age. For those of us who did not grow up learning the ways of country living, there is still much we can do to enjoy certain aspects of living in harmony with our land and the rhythm of the seasons. Backyard and deck gardening is the way I have chosen to do so…organic gardening allows me to provide supplemental food for my family and I can rest assured that no harmful chemicals were used – only natural fertilizers, etc. No matter where you live, if you have access to some sun and water, you can grow food. </span> <br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><u>Planning Annual Crops</u></span> <br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">One of my favorite aspects of gardening is deciding what to grow and where to plant everything. Part of the planning includes looking at a journal from the previous year noting what thrived and what did not and probable causes for crop success or failure. This year I created a spreadsheet to enter garden information.</span> <br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xTY9bXRR5jc/UgFqPCEqCgI/AAAAAAAAA0U/fbsxiqCY1VA/s1600-h/IMG_1304a%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1304a" border="0" height="339" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-twdrVkT8f9c/UgFqP5t37lI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/qpDMkuj969M/IMG_1304a_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1304a" width="428" /></a> <br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">I included everything I could think of and am tracking the plant performance from germination to harvest to seed-saving. I am hoping to learn what does consistently well in not only our growing zone, but in the microclimate and soil in our garden location.</span> <br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">We love to grow tomatoes as most southerners do, and cucumbers are probably second on our list. We used to grow corn, but have stopped doing so after learning that much of the seed in the USA has been <a href="http://rt.com/usa/toxic-study-gmo-corn-900/" target="_blank">contaminated by toxic GMO crops.</a> </span> <br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">This year, I decided to try growing more international produce and plan to save seeds from the heirloom varieties. I browsed the <a href="http://www.rareseeds.com/request-catalog/" target="_blank">Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds</a></span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> catalog and found several interesting and unusual varieties of melons, tomatoes, lettuce, beans, and cucumbers. </span> <br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-94jkg4ujC0A/UgFqQzHX4VI/AAAAAAAAA0k/jqMuu7Pwinc/s1600-h/IMG_1306a%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1306a" border="0" height="324" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aTzW6zUfTu0/UgFqRZXFMkI/AAAAAAAAA0s/DtZfnr9ZpOg/IMG_1306a_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1306a" width="453" /></a> <br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Before ordering garlic bulbs, I was advised by my high school buddy and owner of <a href="http://theglorifiedtomato.com/2011/10/02/dear-god-thank-you-for-resurrecting-garlic/dsc_8332/" target="_blank">Gambino Garlic Growers</a> that the softneck variety grows best in the south (he was right, they grew beautifully!). </span> <br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2ls_u2n2B5c/UgFqTkJ2P0I/AAAAAAAAA00/4SRiOYYBIvE/s1600-h/IMG_8877a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8877a" border="0" height="365" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ElJco6_ZGV8/UgFqUZ81aTI/AAAAAAAAA08/KLbB2v5Pb0Q/IMG_8877a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8877a" width="438" /></a> <br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Other annual food crops we planted this year were onions, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Swiss chard, herbs, carrots, celery, potatoes, sweet peppers, and radishes. We are trying to stick with food items we really like to eat. No one in my family will eat squash, beets, soybeans, okra, or lima beans, so we save space, time, and money and don’t plant them.</span> <br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dyzPD7rYfFw/UgFqVVF7H6I/AAAAAAAAA1E/Mfdp-2F_sIo/s1600-h/IMG_1159a%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1159a" border="0" height="194" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kVBRi1Xzyc4/UgFqV22ilNI/AAAAAAAAA1M/kfv01iDOvlI/IMG_1159a_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1159a" width="244" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Yw1EKnhp8Oc/UgFqW96VfxI/AAAAAAAAA1U/fcXi5DxUtBU/s1600-h/IMG_1161a%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1161a" border="0" height="193" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1OxEyvwo6bo/UgFqXcDNrvI/AAAAAAAAA1c/K0u-6lMFL_Y/IMG_1161a_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1161a" width="244" /></a> <br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">So far, we have had a good harvest this summer. I will share more details about our annual crops and will also discuss perennial crops in the permaculture landscape in Part 2 of this series. Until then, blessings on your garden! ~Karen</span> <br />
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Karalee @ BGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03517521678330110132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7770004549795162853.post-77735989355952101092013-06-12T21:51:00.002-07:002013-06-12T21:51:25.421-07:00All Things White and Beautiful<br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">There is a heavenly fragrance in the air from the bouquet of white blossoms in our yard and neighborhood. It lures me outside several times each day just to inhale the combined perfume of magnolias, gardenias, blackberry blossoms, mock orange flowers, laurel blooms, honeysuckle, roses, clover, apple blossoms, lily of the valley, alliums, and moonflower. There are other beautiful, fragrant, and colorful flowers in the garden, but this season, the whites have definitely dominated this aromatic landscape.</span> <br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span> <br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">Gallery of white blossoms in our yard</span> </span> <br />
<span style="color: black;">Gardenias: Double and single petals</span> <br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PLg_BbqVxb4/UbkkxmvjjlI/AAAAAAAAAl8/U8Ode36nBRA/s1600-h/IMG_9218a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_9218a" border="0" height="220" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kbQLF_FNx08/UbkkyMugqyI/AAAAAAAAAmA/aJ453gwBW0E/IMG_9218a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9218a" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pqAvhsX-Spg/Ubkky4ZuFcI/AAAAAAAAAmM/lwB0lnB_Apw/s1600-h/IMG_3103a%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3103a" border="0" height="221" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-R6I18UtEkfo/UbkkzK_lQXI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/s6YBWB78Bh8/IMG_3103a_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_3103a" width="244" /></a> <br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AePhwhezw8k/Ubkk0L4tfZI/AAAAAAAAAmc/VHyL9izlPr0/s1600-h/IMG_9235a%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_9235a" border="0" height="197" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PW6xEb4v_dQ/Ubkk0rjTH3I/AAAAAAAAAmg/L6-ckpl85-Y/IMG_9235a_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9235a" width="247" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XOpqb8QlxC0/Ubkk1a9yP3I/AAAAAAAAAms/HVYOoyG2yK4/s1600-h/IMG_9232a%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_9232a" border="0" height="201" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-46v9K1gHy_c/Ubkk1nAoeKI/AAAAAAAAAm0/Zlk4knpSM30/IMG_9232a_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9232a" width="244" /></a><br />
<span style="color: black;">Magnolia</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-syqGKwDh8z8/Ubkk2gDsjaI/AAAAAAAAAm8/Dl96XjMW_cI/s1600-h/IMG_9231a%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_9231a" border="0" height="415" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-c8wPvweLXBE/Ubkk3OGjoRI/AAAAAAAAAnE/8gI5oxxB2D8/IMG_9231a_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9231a" width="513" /></a><br />
<span style="color: black;">Honeysuckle</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ub6GG4sRO4A/Ubkk4FlDWfI/AAAAAAAAAnM/M12FeLaPiEM/s1600-h/IMG_8935a%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8935a" border="0" height="182" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iImy-kLdfws/Ubkk4gPl0TI/AAAAAAAAAnU/E5Op5eqwEwA/IMG_8935a_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8935a" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RfZbqkEgjcw/Ubkk5EtWlLI/AAAAAAAAAnc/89818GIbtG4/s1600-h/IMG_1924a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1924a" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--duI33EUiQo/Ubkk5T9noXI/AAAAAAAAAng/5FnKD6xFdqc/IMG_1924a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1924a" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NBVsTpfZ-3E/Ubkk5xdE-UI/AAAAAAAAAns/5MLH3W-h4bk/s1600-h/IMG_1925a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1925a" border="0" height="232" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ODJzGgl8JK8/Ubkk6Y5YoDI/AAAAAAAAAn0/p8pF6aHSpbg/IMG_1925a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1925a" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wH8mBTTtdQE/Ubkk6-s1jhI/AAAAAAAAAn8/ZXSk_EASeRU/s1600-h/IMG_1926a%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1926a" border="0" height="231" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Zk0RFysAqc8/Ubkk7NJZuFI/AAAAAAAAAoE/flhTgfLvSrg/IMG_1926a_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1926a" width="255" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sD_WaGACZfk/Ubkk8XZXrFI/AAAAAAAAAoM/FPlroGBBSmg/s1600-h/IMG_9077a%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_9077a" border="0" height="216" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DfSX2ydEtHg/Ubkk8lhzzHI/AAAAAAAAAoU/psm_rq2A8ZM/IMG_9077a_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9077a" width="242" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CY5mS1D1C6k/Ubkk9nzxHCI/AAAAAAAAAoc/FwWQJdWK3vQ/s1600-h/IMG_9076a%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_9076a" border="0" height="215" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-J6Z6tMbj2l0/Ubkk-DTdexI/AAAAAAAAAok/Fts-woKuNQQ/IMG_9076a_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9076a" width="263" /></a><br />
<span style="color: black;">Mock Orange</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BjTJhHmaaZA/Ubkk_qcRzFI/AAAAAAAAAos/xuF9wKvbW9o/s1600-h/IMG_8933a%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8933a" border="0" height="190" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WoW2PW9cY4w/UbklAVWACAI/AAAAAAAAAo0/FkUNlSyVsW4/IMG_8933a_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8933a" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0YrhJz5bh7s/UbklBnbotDI/AAAAAAAAAo8/ImYTMs9i6GA/s1600-h/IMG_8934a%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8934a" border="0" height="189" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-W9eexfuEXZk/UbklCC1gXlI/AAAAAAAAApE/FX8wggfDaeE/IMG_8934a_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8934a" width="256" /></a><br />
<span style="color: black;">Moonflower and Clover</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GTp_KQ9UKCc/UbklCyVQfqI/AAAAAAAAApM/LCEvhId27Qs/s1600-h/IMG_5272a%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5272a" border="0" height="261" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-D5IpMs_wcsk/UbklDZkkSHI/AAAAAAAAApU/a1Wns8N9A2M/IMG_5272a_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_5272a" width="279" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Mq1PaMFdF54/UbklD9hPcTI/AAAAAAAAApc/18qRLteP-LA/s1600-h/IMG_8248a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8248a" border="0" height="264" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ze3-pl6CnVM/UbklETsL3qI/AAAAAAAAApk/tGaiBmUu0-Q/IMG_8248a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8248a" width="194" /></a><br />
<span style="color: black;">Blackberry and White Rose</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uLKzGp5smQQ/UbklF0n1hNI/AAAAAAAAAps/b7cFKcuKKms/s1600-h/IMG_8849a%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8849a" border="0" height="239" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WMOPBFXwJfk/UbklGeZ92RI/AAAAAAAAAp0/KpfXYQSMles/IMG_8849a_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8849a" width="260" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jg5QKM3MhGM/UbklHO6BpXI/AAAAAAAAAp8/v5f-GFQi9ec/s1600-h/IMG_1107a%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1107a" border="0" height="236" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EhhlQyGG5Rc/UbklHX_9vtI/AAAAAAAAAqE/3U48vCK1s0Y/IMG_1107a_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1107a" width="244" /></a> <br />
<span style="color: black;">Lily of the Valley</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wlQca-htcWc/UbklISWgKyI/AAAAAAAAAqM/yC4D2TWeKHo/s1600-h/IMG_8675a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8675a" border="0" height="194" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nFycTKMDwN4/UbklI8aqMdI/AAAAAAAAAqU/udDo89hKCRQ/IMG_8675a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8675a" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JXjs1eWLmk4/UbklJm9eEZI/AAAAAAAAAqc/dtPX_apWRfU/s1600-h/IMG_8678a%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8678a" border="0" height="194" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YvVI4vo19dY/UbklKPm3WiI/AAAAAAAAAqk/V4gXHbEyxxg/IMG_8678a_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8678a" width="244" /></a><br />
<span style="color: black;">Alliums</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sMEMdITKCHE/UbklKkEZ7ZI/AAAAAAAAAqs/mYiiL1rLZIg/s1600-h/IMG_9030a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_9030a" border="0" height="206" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EPa3q4YWTc4/UbklLOlO9LI/AAAAAAAAAq0/WhRNGOnRXRY/IMG_9030a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9030a" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-k7Q7CAtT1Tc/UbklLiJ_YOI/AAAAAAAAAq8/orkXkIxZKrI/s1600-h/IMG_9162a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_9162a" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hgWBuFNmVJ8/UbklLxBSYJI/AAAAAAAAArE/TIduRXYWnMY/IMG_9162a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9162a" width="210" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KkjBjI9mHn4/UbklM8zj5oI/AAAAAAAAArM/uff6UUI_KQM/s1600-h/IMG_9026a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_9026a" border="0" height="168" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-P0v4V5wCNXY/UbklNB7u_PI/AAAAAAAAArU/CNq-7odZVeo/IMG_9026a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9026a" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mfafaBMiWEA/UbklOEbqI6I/AAAAAAAAArc/MgyLmS6tNc4/s1600-h/IMG_9027a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_9027a" border="0" height="200" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-l1KmGLI_1IE/UbklOWny_NI/AAAAAAAAArk/kwhDpP7SUu8/IMG_9027a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9027a" width="244" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZpOucLbHtC0/UbklPv2z3pI/AAAAAAAAArs/gmiEXMeonj0/s1600-h/IMG_9028a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_9028a" border="0" height="174" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qQz1Fb3Tc5g/UbklQCEuKCI/AAAAAAAAAr0/I5RHCjFxrRI/IMG_9028a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9028a" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2n37VFRiCQA/UbklRDNIDJI/AAAAAAAAAr8/wMM8lageEBw/s1600-h/IMG_9099a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_9099a" border="0" height="197" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NewEmdDCU9c/UbklRjQHCBI/AAAAAAAAAsE/9RHplT02Bhw/IMG_9099a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9099a" width="244" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Mv1FIDgEkoc/UbklSwBIRyI/AAAAAAAAAsM/0fTyLF2rb3A/s1600-h/IMG_9103a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_9103a" border="0" height="192" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nlrvPjYlcsI/UbklTSMjMrI/AAAAAAAAAsU/hjIGSxLqNHs/IMG_9103a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9103a" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IJ-2vEwFs1k/UbklUuMKbFI/AAAAAAAAAsc/SksEBAJrQsc/s1600-h/IMG_9169a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_9169a" border="0" height="224" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9wH_JunXgYs/UbklVBTzdGI/AAAAAAAAAsk/pP9NfoDwv8A/IMG_9169a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9169a" width="244" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-19xBtES7xJM/UbklVgIs5dI/AAAAAAAAAss/3rqyhrbGMjc/s1600-h/IMG_5862a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5862a" border="0" height="302" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Uqq9rKBIK3s/UbklWWpSr-I/AAAAAAAAAs0/-uJ_Hen7KG8/IMG_5862a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_5862a" width="387" /></a><br />
<span style="color: black;">Not as fragrant, but “small and white, clean and bright…”</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Dogwood blossoms</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-arw1FQgVN7k/UbklWgA6F6I/AAAAAAAAAs8/T_iaxmgIteM/s1600-h/IMG_1422a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1422a" border="0" height="204" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dW_TLuWMESA/UbklXJtPZCI/AAAAAAAAAtE/XmExY_XrvE0/IMG_1422a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1422a" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YWMnFS7XCWM/UbklXzWPcqI/AAAAAAAAAtM/AadIS2XlDD0/s1600-h/IMG_4061a%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_4061a" border="0" height="197" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jnMjKnnuKOI/UbklYTjrOgI/AAAAAAAAAtU/56-AG5VVtLk/IMG_4061a_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_4061a" width="244" /></a><br />
<span style="color: black;">Bradford Pear Blossoms</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--6wYDlniUbg/UbklZR9Cs3I/AAAAAAAAAtc/SHBZAmzh-h8/s1600-h/IMG_8234a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8234a" border="0" height="178" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fAW4FbMH9iM/UbklZuOQkcI/AAAAAAAAAtk/txnIyO4qF5s/IMG_8234a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8234a" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yyuCElrFFkI/Ubklap7eakI/AAAAAAAAAts/AMwRoOr3I8c/s1600-h/IMG_8187a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8187a" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xeGLXIYtH6E/UbklbF7juJI/AAAAAAAAAt0/1gIUy9ZM-IY/IMG_8187a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8187a" width="244" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fu1o_XVOFlc/UbklcKPn6TI/AAAAAAAAAt8/yYXS9H1Z7NY/s1600-h/IMG_8189a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8189a" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cKvmgPyRKdM/UbklcUQMtyI/AAAAAAAAAuA/FNU8rIhu-Ck/IMG_8189a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8189a" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yV4Vo7ynOg8/UbkldYDg-uI/AAAAAAAAAuM/wXvekThMSpI/s1600-h/IMG_8222a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8222a" border="0" height="168" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cezGK8Rwfk4/UbkldsPbMcI/AAAAAAAAAuU/oz_gdmyYLqM/IMG_8222a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8222a" width="244" /></a></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Yoshino Cherry and Various Trees in the Pasture</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Qr4sGIwouR4/UbklejTYK5I/AAAAAAAAAuc/mPXq4ZrlW2s/s1600-h/IMG_8346a%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8346a" border="0" height="220" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MfzxljP1Xmo/UbklfM6IBWI/AAAAAAAAAuk/PPjipnjXI0A/IMG_8346a_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8346a" width="236" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uTbStvdcn_g/UbklgM-LopI/AAAAAAAAAus/c2kKW74ddio/s1600-h/IMG_8223a%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8223a" border="0" height="206" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fM08WLXe8-E/UbklglCwfgI/AAAAAAAAAuw/4fgDV5nWVMA/IMG_8223a_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8223a" width="228" /></a> <br />
<span style="color: black;">Cosmos and Blueberry</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-j-ZW5xcT7Qo/UbklhCXaQQI/AAAAAAAAAu8/A5AkxI5JZ98/s1600-h/IMG_9015a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_9015a" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-S_R3cBgeLoI/Ubklhl6wecI/AAAAAAAAAvE/Wq00cj6fT8E/IMG_9015a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9015a" width="187" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7LBxsVDEevg/UbkliWW0eMI/AAAAAAAAAvM/7rd9DbvIXH8/s1600-h/IMG_8642a%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8642a" border="0" height="251" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OMlFWOUF3uI/Ubkli1Gk04I/AAAAAAAAAvU/Y8wbChq1Qv4/IMG_8642a_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8642a" width="284" /></a> <br />
<span style="color: black;">Laurel</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vg2YzurFYKk/UbklkLWI5eI/AAAAAAAAAvc/U2nO8bZbaSg/s1600-h/IMG_8696a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8696a" border="0" height="190" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AFy_61T3uPI/UbklkgE6iaI/AAAAAAAAAvk/KPH0LlyFYxc/IMG_8696a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8696a" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6VLql8MNKIs/UbklljXG6aI/AAAAAAAAAvs/3NUf5b4B92s/s1600-h/IMG_9219a%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_9219a" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AxFOiqAZjvA/UbklmH6LYBI/AAAAAAAAAv0/smmuzUmzcfo/IMG_9219a_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9219a" width="244" /></a><br />
Hosta and Wild Aster<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Yttn75ChnHQ/Ubklmlupn4I/AAAAAAAAAv8/9x12suIKtAI/s1600-h/IMG_6978a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_6978a" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qve0QPlA0jM/Ubklm6MMCFI/AAAAAAAAAwE/TdHBgtyZEo4/IMG_6978a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_6978a" width="224" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6lC0rVeH2zs/UbklnyNcQHI/AAAAAAAAAwM/UP_v-2NDk7A/s1600-h/IMG_9238a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_9238a" border="0" height="243" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-asn_YwJSCfw/UbkloUegt6I/AAAAAAAAAwU/C6KBkNW-lJo/IMG_9238a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9238a" width="263" /></a><br />
<span style="color: black;">Ranunculus</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Lj4QQ6XT28c/UbklpE6tzCI/AAAAAAAAAwc/YWO-8WECALE/s1600-h/IMG_8585a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8585a" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UZhmF9pcpMY/Ubklpc6du5I/AAAAAAAAAwk/3tFKyaJW1Ts/IMG_8585a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8585a" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-41lP-S48gzo/UbklqGM4wmI/AAAAAAAAAws/r-rO8lFFOWM/s1600-h/IMG_8626a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8626a" border="0" height="178" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mh2PSotvOCQ/UbklquQGR_I/AAAAAAAAAww/PmnHAqXQhtg/IMG_8626a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8626a" width="244" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gg7E-ggLoVc/UbklrFLC-TI/AAAAAAAAAw8/FhmL_owetjU/s1600-h/IMG_8583a%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8583a" border="0" height="341" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ALQCReC-wK8/UbklrhZtkAI/AAAAAAAAAxE/yOMZiPFENKk/IMG_8583a_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8583a" width="424" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: black;">And a few shots from last year…</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Gourd Blossom and Flower</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZyPSJ86A9FE/Ubklr56dlpI/AAAAAAAAAxM/4WZOHcFNo3s/s1600-h/IMG_7305a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7305a" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lidictlbU0k/UbklsFlQeKI/AAAAAAAAAxU/A7r48TYOucg/IMG_7305a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7305a" width="158" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xqNFuHvyA0s/UbklsraHfaI/AAAAAAAAAxc/yvOnFwDp7oo/s1600-h/White%252520gourd%252520flower%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="White gourd flower" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NlyDgXrPfi4/UbkluHQKM0I/AAAAAAAAAxk/uY8SayF8Zq0/White%252520gourd%252520flower_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="White gourd flower" width="278" /></a><br />
<span style="color: black;">Azalea Buds Opening</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OF9p1vQTvOw/UbklvoK5ATI/AAAAAAAAAxs/5qbiHWOq5w4/s1600-h/IMG_4420a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_4420a" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lTjcw6HrF3A/Ubklv-VRh-I/AAAAAAAAAx0/nh9reznyycM/IMG_4420a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_4420a" width="244" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MXFr-_ojUH8/UbklxcmLrrI/AAAAAAAAAx8/IEZaoZoqN8c/s1600-h/IMG_4399a%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_4399a" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8a1aPjDZ2cY/Ubklxuy3ukI/AAAAAAAAAyE/pxrnDPEdXVU/IMG_4399a_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_4399a" width="244" /></a><br />
<span style="color: black;">Various White Treasures</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eyaXhAlltKI/UbklyKYI4kI/AAAAAAAAAyM/-_0zccIf5OE/s1600-h/IMG_1455a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1455a" border="0" height="187" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uMJF419MCSs/Ubklyt9YacI/AAAAAAAAAyU/3sw_uHnsiPg/IMG_1455a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1455a" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cdSxgnoALkE/UbklzGmjPvI/AAAAAAAAAyc/JvV-yYWqOOI/s1600-h/IMG_3881a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3881a" border="0" height="242" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WoqtIzhBiHY/UbklzvcvnsI/AAAAAAAAAyk/gs8EvUXO9q0/IMG_3881a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_3881a" width="244" /></a></span><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3_NCzcc7wpY/Ubkl1KfeMUI/AAAAAAAAAys/MAmtMS-jMsg/s1600-h/IMG_1598a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1598a" border="0" height="185" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DKewLrDMc1E/Ubkl1XHdFkI/AAAAAAAAAy0/pkPJNtwe__I/IMG_1598a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1598a" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0pnZaikxxew/Ubkl165-DTI/AAAAAAAAAy8/bEsPk8q4-m8/s1600-h/IMG_0085a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0085a" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-proUllVm7lY/Ubkl2Z-y7WI/AAAAAAAAAzE/1XVPq7WfXfI/IMG_0085a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0085a" width="244" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Indoor Whites from Late Winter</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MrRneeaiHuc/Ubkl3OQOyUI/AAAAAAAAAzM/W9mvIYd9M4M/s1600-h/IMG_7011a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7011a" border="0" height="146" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-re8isqBlRYo/Ubkl3p7lCEI/AAAAAAAAAzU/QeXA6Sp8G5A/IMG_7011a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7011a" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aSkLvGr_pz4/Ubkl4_-HOUI/AAAAAAAAAzc/czHEzZm2hrM/s1600-h/IMG_7024a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7024a" border="0" height="186" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2iK07Ht_ZNI/Ubkl5Bz6ZdI/AAAAAAAAAzk/jqPfLooWbmU/IMG_7024a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7024a" width="244" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-R6JYv7FfLOU/Ubkl5j9mlFI/AAAAAAAAAzs/MJhpd-LTUw8/s1600-h/IMG_0313a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0313a" border="0" height="193" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Mnl6wxbYgKU/Ubkl6MimqCI/AAAAAAAAAz0/JFG7w9P-3G0/IMG_0313a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0313a" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RnYI579fVW4/Ubkl95warWI/AAAAAAAAAz8/N1eDo_SF3vM/s1600-h/IMG_0314a%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0314a" border="0" height="196" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-r2kfgCd0jpM/Ubkl-RcGALI/AAAAAAAAA0E/Xh-6hha7Wcc/IMG_0314a_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0314a" width="244" /></a><br />
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Karalee @ BGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03517521678330110132noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7770004549795162853.post-87517789908875171822012-08-31T14:27:00.001-07:002013-08-06T15:08:04.759-07:00The August Garden in Pictures: Fruits and Vegetables<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">As my summer garden winds down for the season, I am re-reading the book <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tips-Lazy-Gardener-Linda-Tilgner/dp/1580170269" target="_blank">Tips for the Lazy Gardener</a></i> by Linda Tilgner</span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;">. Though still tending to the garden, I have been a lazy blogger this month, waiting until the last day of August to post. I decided I would share pictures to summarize the past few weeks in the garden. This has been my favorite summer for gardening – God and Mother Nature have provided fresh fruits and vegetables to supplement every dinner for the past 3 months and my family and I are so thankful!</span> </span> <span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">My husband built this ripening shelf out of recycled closet shelves and wood. It has been a great counter-space saver in the kitchen and it also keeps fruit flies outside. It is very convenient to walk outside the kitchen door into our “produce pantry" while making dinner!</span> <br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VTGdX73ZJpo/UEEi7eHCJGI/AAAAAAAAAfo/W25mOPWr520/s1600-h/Ripening%252520shelf%252520collage%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Ripening shelf collage" border="0" height="304" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yGtc8vXVNAk/UEEi79efAxI/AAAAAAAAAfw/C_ta6hsKUbc/Ripening%252520shelf%252520collage_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Ripening shelf collage" width="479" /></a> <span style="color: black;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;">Being a musician, I thought this was an efficient way to measure vegetables. This one was almost 3 octaves long!</span> </span><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jN15nhdPdso/UEEi86X1aJI/AAAAAAAAAf4/L0AShse9-ag/s1600-h/IMG_4588a%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_4588a" border="0" height="313" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qXK_gMisSLU/UEEi9mptaEI/AAAAAAAAAgA/2dSCYwd2Ks0/IMG_4588a_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_4588a" width="484" /></a> <span style="color: black;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">I would definitely grow Armenian yard-long cucumbers next year. My family loved the crunchy texture and mild taste, and I loved how fast-growing and prolific they were in the garden.</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vwilqxsAZrA/UEEi-YPMhvI/AAAAAAAAAgI/c7ZkrrkWfYU/s1600-h/Armenian%252520cuke%252520collage%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Armenian cuke collage" border="0" height="711" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Mv3Vh7oEFgs/UEEi-wZa1ZI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/EY2OVCiqnDs/Armenian%252520cuke%252520collage_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Armenian cuke collage" width="399" /></a> <br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">I had an abundance of kohl rabi and radishes and decided to use them in egg rolls – they were delicious!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8LrmyAe3Rcs/UEEjAB7co0I/AAAAAAAAAgY/cNQnONqbjvY/s1600-h/eggroll%252520collage%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="eggroll collage" border="0" height="402" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-j0pVYkquHT4/UEEjAr0WleI/AAAAAAAAAgg/uzvnWR454ZM/eggroll%252520collage_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="eggroll collage" width="493" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Romaine lettuce grew well in our self-watering bins.</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TvUUILMMTZ8/UEEjBTcqZeI/AAAAAAAAAgo/3XndJfMembs/s1600-h/IMAG1083a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMAG1083a" border="0" height="277" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CI573Wk2eGs/UEEjCKE8qhI/AAAAAAAAAgw/NcTJiDTKki8/IMAG1083a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMAG1083a" width="480" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Simpson and iceberg lettuce with cukes, tomatoes, and radishes – all from the bins.</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CbLYlZVpSxM/UEEjDDgIZxI/AAAAAAAAAg4/xyO57G43hNg/s1600-h/IMG_3949%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3949" border="0" height="399" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-X9Qu7fvKplY/UEEjDs3G9MI/AAAAAAAAAhA/5nRQtG4m1XI/IMG_3949_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_3949" width="491" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Our oriental pear tree was productive this year – we decided to try canning the surplus.</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-67pyxofo4R4/UEEjE8gbffI/AAAAAAAAAhI/Fs9wMiiXBq8/s1600-h/IMG_4817a%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_4817a" border="0" height="446" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yxsqgZinJpg/UEEjFuzM2dI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/WmE4xN0XXqU/IMG_4817a_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_4817a" width="306" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Watching our step as we pick pears off the tree…</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aI41qVVN9f4/UEEjGPjeZNI/AAAAAAAAAhY/XNIuGjMJuZs/s1600-h/IMG_4830a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_4830a" border="0" height="428" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LI7hse57XBU/UEEjGrIkpQI/AAAAAAAAAhg/EB360TjC2AA/IMG_4830a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_4830a" width="345" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SAEEs9GyPlQ/UEEjHWGMqOI/AAAAAAAAAho/nMXbM5TDlLg/s1600-h/IMG_4872a%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_4872a" border="0" height="420" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ifYS7Xq2YV4/UEEjH9_Be8I/AAAAAAAAAhw/pxaP9skxYRE/IMG_4872a_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_4872a" width="362" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UFtZw57ZuBM/UEEjI06HiaI/AAAAAAAAAh4/jd5KfShOXVA/s1600-h/IMG_4880a%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_4880a" border="0" height="396" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WvJG9lmH83s/UEEjJVUpoAI/AAAAAAAAAiA/KWdi0EI8STw/IMG_4880a_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_4880a" width="295" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1aLKfMT5D8M/UEEjKXNwGJI/AAAAAAAAAiI/Qg2BtuBhcRI/s1600-h/IMG_4883a%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_4883a" border="0" height="320" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nQArZX0Hhpk/UEEjKglicjI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/1guEgxTltmA/IMG_4883a_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_4883a" width="313" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zhzb-_tQ9AA/UEEjLkhzO3I/AAAAAAAAAiY/SYqSo0Y70zA/s1600-h/IMG_4901a%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_4901a" border="0" height="445" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qHY7Jhp-ris/UEEjMN5AGFI/AAAAAAAAAig/DJt5VG-MkEU/IMG_4901a_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_4901a" width="426" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">So far, so good!!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Y6r58l6AXnY/UEEjNWUUcYI/AAAAAAAAAio/U2ArQI9fSnY/s1600-h/IMG_4904a%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_4904a" border="0" height="326" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4lImV4zQbY8/UEEjNsysPbI/AAAAAAAAAiw/RZBij1_2DiM/IMG_4904a_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_4904a" width="464" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-R_NwCEQUbio/UEEjO9uFYyI/AAAAAAAAAi4/53dXLb4rA8Y/s1600-h/IMG_3889a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3889a" border="0" height="169" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-McMCX-mLX9M/UEEjPeW2H4I/AAAAAAAAAjA/PPuB8Nc-iug/IMG_3889a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_3889a" width="244" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-t1PjxcxMm_w/UEEjQG5lqXI/AAAAAAAAAjI/zT10OosLKDA/s1600-h/IMG_3894a%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3894a" border="0" height="179" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2hgXOJMOQRw/UEEjRAKD9MI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/FUrc9czEBPs/IMG_3894a_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_3894a" width="249" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Radishes of many shapes and colors</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IbQGhUx0Iv4/UEEjSO5Wj3I/AAAAAAAAAjY/5h8sZpHxLog/s1600-h/IMG_4353%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_4353" border="0" height="604" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-d-plFYxRZX0/UEEjTHxlE9I/AAAAAAAAAjg/c1WrG4B-JaQ/IMG_4353_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_4353" width="548" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Asparagus Beans – wonderful in a stir-fry!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZPppaZxpSuk/UEEjVdmSInI/AAAAAAAAAjo/Xpe3aLlIJCE/s1600-h/Asparagus%252520bean%252520collage%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Asparagus bean collage" border="0" height="374" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FwPFTmI4Oqk/UEEjV6m_XAI/AAAAAAAAAjw/CxuQcfIBzzg/Asparagus%252520bean%252520collage_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Asparagus bean collage" width="557" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">More from the garden…still waiting for the bigger watermelons to ripen.</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_LMeiDw8ejE/UEEjXcTD_gI/AAAAAAAAAj4/xMoWW3zclG8/s1600-h/IMG_4903a%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_4903a" border="0" height="404" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BIrWUSnBhEw/UEEjX7_wspI/AAAAAAAAAkA/r42K4kyUsnY/IMG_4903a_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_4903a" width="562" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Psn2wd2nQ7Q/UEEjYwbuJ6I/AAAAAAAAAkI/ZA-YOp_aq0o/s1600-h/IMG_4643a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_4643a" border="0" height="397" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LIAGN2EiLZM/UEEjZQ1xUHI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/AIGA46ZYLOo/IMG_4643a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_4643a" width="570" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">It was a great summer in the garden...now onto some fall planting. We are waiting for potatoes, onions, gourds (decorative), carrots, and pumpkins to mature so we can plant some cold weather crops in those spaces. Hope you enjoyed the pictures from <em>Part 1: Food</em>; watch for upcoming posts in the next few weeks on flowers, birds, and bugs. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Enjoy September, and blessings to you!</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">~Karen</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tips-Lazy-Gardener-Linda-Tilgner/dp/1580170269" target="_blank">Tips for the Lazy Gardener</a>Karalee @ BGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03517521678330110132noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7770004549795162853.post-43585090723783872342012-07-13T20:09:00.000-07:002012-07-13T20:09:05.753-07:00Organic Tomatoes<br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">My apologies for no blog post in June – a resistant pneumonia went through our family with fevers hitting 105, dehydration, and a hospital stay. My daughter suggested that I write a retroactive blog for June and title it <i>Been Coughing</i>! Thankfully, we are all doing much better now. Through it all, I was pleased to be able to water our gardens (within county restrictions) to keep everything growing. And grow it did, especially the weeds! They have actually thrived in the 108-degree Fahrenheit weather we have had this month, not to mention our severe drought conditions. (Since writing this a few days ago, we have been blessed with a couple of days of rain – the plants are grateful!)</span> <br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BZ2gGtye-J4/UADhKgseAfI/AAAAAAAAAd0/uRUZd0jdS7M/s1600-h/IMG_3406a%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3406a" border="0" height="354" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RtZMUFMZhHc/UADhLRoi58I/AAAAAAAAAd8/cQJEywxiDJQ/IMG_3406a_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_3406a" width="260" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GwFABK55YDU/UADhMCPE6II/AAAAAAAAAeE/Xe1qmVdOPQk/s1600-h/IMG_3409a%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3409a" border="0" height="348" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-URnQ3ixlO4M/UADhMvIxhXI/AAAAAAAAAeM/_3tUHqdjyao/IMG_3409a_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_3409a" width="201" /></a> <br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Dp6KUu8xdF4/UADhNPf1CZI/AAAAAAAAAeU/QjznMPkBRUg/s1600-h/IMG_3488%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3488" border="0" height="266" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-arFctifDO4k/UADhNvwhgvI/AAAAAAAAAec/VAqokIBFCRg/IMG_3488_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_3488" width="306" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fmQynBBbOsM/UADhOL727xI/AAAAAAAAAek/FARnfeMUd68/s1600-h/IMG_3487%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3487" border="0" height="281" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xY22Z-uSFJY/UADhOiOmUpI/AAAAAAAAAes/INWe6fWb1O0/IMG_3487_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_3487" width="188" /></a> <br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">I was happy to see this sight on one of our hanging baskets of tomatoes:</span> <br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-k-IqA-5vN7Q/UADhPVel-jI/AAAAAAAAAe0/zPEIX1Tv56U/s1600-h/IMG_3531a%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3531a" border="0" height="211" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zk1MKpN70-c/UADhP5qoz8I/AAAAAAAAAe8/9Q1Oo8aatIg/IMG_3531a_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_3531a" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TEEoDxfiLtY/UADhQbv6hcI/AAAAAAAAAfE/z_EuQaXmadQ/s1600-h/IMG_3529a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3529a" border="0" height="198" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-i_QEuFQNHow/UADhQ9116uI/AAAAAAAAAfM/tA0wUj1szow/IMG_3529a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_3529a" width="274" /></a></span> <br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">One of the best things an organic tomato grower can hope for is a hornworm full of cocoons from the small braconid wasp. The larvae hatch from wasp eggs laid on the hornworm and feed on the inside of the hornworm until the wasps pupate. If you see a hornworm covered with white projections, it is best to leave the hornworm where it is and allow the wasps to emerge in a few days. The wasps will kill the hornworm and will parasitize other hornworms in the garden – a great benefit if you have been planting tomato crops in succession. </span><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QE2CLJ_dPM8/UADhSSQwnHI/AAAAAAAAAfU/PgFDB2qjVnw/s1600-h/IMG_3900a%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3900a" border="0" height="265" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--4BNaCJYyvo/UADhTYs5WwI/AAAAAAAAAfc/123LbLaBu2w/IMG_3900a_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_3900a" width="363" /></a><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span> <br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">So far, everything is doing well with no chemicals or commercial fertilizers – just fish water, rain water, and compost!</span> <br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Blessings on your gardens,</span> <br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Karen</span> <br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span>Karalee @ BGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03517521678330110132noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7770004549795162853.post-39883187446129182272012-05-31T20:37:00.000-07:002014-03-30T21:47:11.685-07:00Carponics [kahr-pon-iks] n. The process of nourishing plants with effluent from ornamental carp.<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">Okay, I just made up the word <i>carponics</i>, but it describes in a word the process I use to feed my plants and keep aesthetically-pleasing fish in my deck garden. “Ponics” in Latin means “working”, as in hydroponics or aquaponics (“hydro” and “aqua” both translate to “water”). Carp is the species to which goldfish and Koi belong. These types of fish are working to provide fertilizer for my plants (if you call excreting waste “work”), so I named the process <i>carponics.</i></span></span> <br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">In my garden, I use a very low-tech system, but for innovative gardeners with an extensive garden (or little time for irrigation), an automated system with a timer could be used. </span> <br />
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<b><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Fish Tank Set-up</span></b> <br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Three years ago, I bought a 32-gallon plastic bin (food-grade plastic is recommended) as a makeshift fish tank and it has held up very well outside under shelter. It does tend to bow out, so I fill it only 2/3 full of water and put it between other heavy bins to help hold its shape. You can find the rest of the items for the tank at a pet store. You will need de-chlorinator drops, an air pump, tubing, a bubble stone, goldfish food flakes, 8-10 feeder goldfish or Koi, and a heater for winter months. You may also want to purchase an ammonia filter and tester if the water will not be changed often. I also added a couple of fish caves for extra shade and a Blue Mystery snail to keep the algae under control. My teenage daughter has several aquariums so we had many of these items on hand. I did not use gravel because fish waste would settle in it, reducing the amount of fertilizer available for plants. If you are a hobby aquarist and have a pH monitor and thermometer on hand, these would also be beneficial. I tried using aquatic plants for more cover, but the goldfish quickly devoured every bit of the plants.</span> <br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-33ApaZg39Wg/T8g2BQS3_DI/AAAAAAAAAcg/4JLqHZqIuAU/s1600-h/fish%252520bin%252520a%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="fish bin a" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yQqGme1r-UY/T8g2BojbNPI/AAAAAAAAAco/31tlNN-pcg0/fish%252520bin%252520a_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="375" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 0px 85px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="fish bin a" width="328" /></a> <br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">My first fish were so hardy that they survived a winter outside (with an aquarium heater) and a move across two states in a cooler in our vehicle. They were fed well (but not overfed) and they grew quickly, especially with the frequent water changes. They did well in their new spot outside on a ground-level covered patio next to some woods…what they didn’t survive was the sly fox that came for dinner one night. If you are in an area where wildlife may appear, I would suggest keeping a screen over the tank at night or keeping the tank on an elevated porch or deck where animals would be less likely to visit. We have started over with new feeder fish this season and they seem to be thriving.</span> <br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Because a large portion of this blog is dedicated to gardening in self-watering containers, I feel that I should mention that I do not use fish effluent in our self-watering bins. With these containers, I prefer using the small amount of chlorine in our city water to help prevent undesirable bacteria from growing. I don’t know of any scientific studies on this, but my intuition tells me that one should not add fish effluent to a dark, enclosed space with standing water to be wicked up to vegetable roots. I do have evidence (the health of my family and garden) that adding the effluent to soil in pots with good drainage is beneficial as a mild fertilizer. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">For more information on carponics and how it differs from aquaponics, as well a description of watering methods I use, and reasons that fish effluent is good for plants, please visit an informative blog called <a href="http://www.suburbanhobbyfarmer.com/fish-water-for-plants/" target="_blank">Suburban Hobby Farmer</a> . It is hosted by Bill Brikiatis who is an excellent garden writer on growing food organically in your backyard. I guest-authored a companion post to this article this week. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Thanks so much for reading, and blessings on your gardens!</span> <br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">~Karen </span>Karalee @ BGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03517521678330110132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7770004549795162853.post-60859951323931872092012-05-24T08:41:00.001-07:002012-05-24T08:41:13.648-07:00No-Soil Seed Starting<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Have you ever come home from your favorite garden store with an impressive variety of seed packets and imagined the beautiful, lush garden that will grow from those seeds, but waited too long to sow them for your growing zone? This was an area of procrastination for me because working with peat pots or a soil mix and cell packs can be messy, costly, and time-consuming. I needed to make starting seeds more convenient, time-efficient, and inexpensive. I researched soilless germination and found several articles on the subject. The paper towel / plastic sandwich bag method is quite inexpensive (under a nickel per seed pack planted) and takes up very little room. Instructions on how I started seeds with this method are on my previous post: </span><a href="http://beengardening2.blogspot.com/2012/05/gardening-decks-perimentpart-one.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">The Gardening “Decks-periment”–Part One.</span></a><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My variation of the "plastic bag" method is to use the moist paper towel in a small, recycled plastic food-grade container rather than a plastic sandwich bag that gets thrown away after seeds have sprouted. You can find these plastic containers in grocery stores or fast food restaurants. They are used for baked goods, trail mixes, salad, etc., so you don’t need to purchase anything other than food you would normally buy in these containers. They can be re-used many times. Just wash the containers with a bit of dish liquid, making sure all traces of soap are rinsed before sowing seeds. The containers stack well and don’t need as much room as standard cell packs or seed starter growing kits. These containers obviously require a bit more space than sandwich bags, but I prefer that my seed sprouts have a small “ceiling” in case they germinate quickly and need some growing space before I am able to transplant. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This video shows seeds that germinated using moist paper towels and clear food containers:</span> </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Paper Towel / Plastic Container Method</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Below is an update of the asparagus beans and lupine flowers 10 days after sowing, now transplanted into a potting mix in a cell pack. They will form a healthy root system here before being transplanted into either a large bin container or the ground. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love starting seeds this way! The initial sowing project took only 12 minutes from start to finish to sow seeds from 16 packets (half packets, actually – I wanted to save some for a second sowing). There was no mess at all, and everything fit in a neat row on my potting bench on our deck. (Seeds can also be started indoors if the weather in your area is too cool for germination.) </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Some folks might ask why not skip the paper-towel step and sow directly into the pot or ground since you have to transplant at some point? Direct-sowing works great for many gardeners. I direct-sow large seeds like corn, sunflowers, pumpkins, beans, and plants that don't respond well to having their roots disturbed. I use the paper towel method for everything else because it is clean, convenient, space-efficient, time-efficient, and non-wasteful. You can see exactly which seeds have sprouted which is helpful for spacing plants correctly during transplantation.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Here is a picture taken this morning of our container garden on the deck. In May we enjoyed lettuce, tomatoes, basil, and spring flowers. We look forward to tasting summer vegetables in a few weeks!</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Blessings on your gardening!</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">~Karen</span><br />
<br />Karalee @ BGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03517521678330110132noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7770004549795162853.post-53550750443281158362012-05-20T13:42:00.001-07:002012-05-20T13:42:59.291-07:00The Gardening "Decks-periment" - Part Two<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">“Deck-ucation”</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">As a homeschooling parent, it is always a bonus to have an unexpected learning experience come to you by way of Mother Nature. Before organizing the deck for growing, we noticed some pine straw in a pot; the next day it was formed into a nest, and the next week there were 5 little wren eggs and a mama bird sitting on them. We have happily cohabitated on the deck together for several weeks. The mama wren is used to us and trusts that we won’t disturb her nest. We leave food for her and she drinks the rain water in the deck bin. Hopefully, we will soon be posting pictures of baby wrens in that nest!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Uaq8Oddd0ss/T7MK3iATTgI/AAAAAAAAAY0/0UO4Hr8FJJc/s1600-h/IMG_2799a_thumb%25255B1%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2799a_thumb[1]" border="0" height="234" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hDPHFoiQvXk/T7MK4Ux-_bI/AAAAAAAAAY8/-Ty7C8E2GJs/IMG_2799a_thumb%25255B1%25255D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2799a_thumb[1]" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vyLMDDBXHQI/T7MK4zRfWxI/AAAAAAAAAZE/AGUMfYAQq3E/s1600-h/IMG_2797a_thumb%25255B2%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2797a_thumb[2]" border="0" height="233" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aae616iGyHk/T7MK5fvooWI/AAAAAAAAAZM/2VLuFTOAuZ0/IMG_2797a_thumb%25255B2%25255D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2797a_thumb[2]" width="273" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><strong>Lessons learned</strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As I mentioned in my last post </span><a href="http://beengardening2.blogspot.com/2012/05/gardening-decks-perimentpart-one.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Gardening "Decks-periment" - Part One</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, we use our deck as a potting shed, plant lab, and incubator for seedlings. The deck is old and in need of repair…it was not in great shape when we moved to NC a couple of years ago, and it had declined even more during the time we were away. The plan was to
rebuild it this year, but I filled it up with plants and now the construction
will be postponed until the growing season is over. (I’m compelled to share this
disclaimer with anyone who views pictures or videos made on our deck - also, I am working to improve the upload quality of the video below.) This video shows our bin garden progress at 5 weeks.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Things were looking great, though one bin had a clogged overflow hole after a heavy rain which almost drowned our iceberg lettuce. The lettuce has recovered with minimal signs of stress and the offending large perlite particle has been removed. I would recommend checking each overflow hole each time you fill the watering tube just to make sure there are no blockages.</span> </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A few weeks ago, I noticed a moth hovering over the Brussels sprouts and cauliflower for a couple of days, and was concerned that cabbage loopers or cabbage worms would follow. I garden organically, so man-made insecticides are not an option, especially when my family will be eating these vegetables. Sure enough, an army of cabbage worms made an appearance. When I made the video, the damage was minimal and I thought that slugs might be chewing small holes in the leaves. Within two days, several leaves were almost skeletonized.</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">I found the small green worms and their droppings on about 75% of the Brussels sprouts leaves and on 50% of the cauliflower leaves. My daughter and I picked off as many as we could (dropping them in soapy water), and in some cases, pulled the entire leaf off the stalk. This slowed down the damage and the plants now seem to be doing okay, though much less photogenic. In retrospect, I should have had some Neem oil on hand to eradicate the pests at the first sign of leaf damage. Neem oil is an organic biopesticide made from seeds of the Neem tree. For the ambitious gardener who would like to grow and process his or her own Neem oil, here is a link to instructions on growing a Neem tree in an indoor container: </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.discoverneem.com/how-to-grow-neem-trees.html">http://www.discoverneem.com/how-to-grow-neem-trees.html</a>.</span><span style="color: black;"> For more info on readily available Neem products, check out the Greenlight website </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.greenlightco.com/products/neem/">http://www.greenlightco.com/products/neem/</a>. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><strong>Re-growing Celery</strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">In the past, I have not had the best of luck in trying to grow celery from seeds, but have recently read on several different gardening blogs about a method of re-growing celery using the bottom of the stalk that usually gets cut off and thrown away. I put two of these bottom pieces in a shallow jar of water and in a few days saw new leaves emerge from the center of the stalk as new roots began to form at the base of the stalk. When more roots appear, I will plant this to see how celery grows in the bin garden. It will be interesting to see how many times one can re-grow from the same stalk! (The bottom picture below shows new root growth.)</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My last two blog posts have summed up how we use our deck for gardening and aquaponics projects and experiments. I have really enjoyed sharing these with you, and would like to close by sharing a couple of pictures I took last week of my favorite bridge at the The State Botanical Garden of Georgia </span><a href="http://botgarden.uga.edu/" title="http://botgarden.uga.edu/"><span style="font-family: inherit;">http://botgarden.uga.edu/</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JQuPC6tp8sY/T7MLB47WyWI/AAAAAAAAAbE/5ecPgi8JnOs/s1600-h/IMG_2187a%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="IMG_2187a" border="0" height="213" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-THBftxSHtRM/T7MLCQvFd0I/AAAAAAAAAbM/uJkI0HcES1U/IMG_2187a_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2187a" width="244" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-45lftvNgOTo/T7MLD9CwhSI/AAAAAAAAAbU/CGP-P41_dSk/s1600-h/IMG_2196a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="IMG_2196a" border="0" height="212" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tGoxeW1YmPg/T7MLEx4aYnI/AAAAAAAAAbc/h5y3sOHcTlg/IMG_2196a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2196a" width="265" /></span></a></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Blessings on your gardens,</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">~Karen</span>Karalee @ BGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03517521678330110132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7770004549795162853.post-19963399276062369322012-05-15T18:15:00.003-07:002012-05-16T18:58:26.555-07:00The Gardening “Decks-periment”–Part One<br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">It has been a productive couple of weeks since my last post. We are currently in our 7<sup>th</sup> week since planting our first two bins, and now have a dozen bins planted with vegetables growing on our deck.</span> <br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IYB1MDpRpHc/T7L-iP9nBdI/AAAAAAAAAUw/QIvDhaAWvWU/s1600-h/Deck-May-2012a_thumb4%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Deck-May-2012a_thumb4" border="0" height="343" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1RMq0qGnYzw/T7L-i24Xz0I/AAAAAAAAAU4/pROFcBHTNr8/Deck-May-2012a_thumb4_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Deck-May-2012a_thumb4" width="476" /></a> <br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yR0K8O8EGos/T7L-jv1g8KI/AAAAAAAAAVA/m5cVGVqhA5w/s1600-h/IMG_2555a_thumb5%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2555a_thumb5" border="0" height="292" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_LTuEtKjveA/T7L-kMN_cRI/AAAAAAAAAVI/5FZhRZt_Bw8/IMG_2555a_thumb5_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2555a_thumb5" width="450" /></a></span> <br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-M53jPYBYa8w/T7L-kjQkrSI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/DI1ky3YivtA/s1600-h/IMG_2563a_thumb5%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2563a_thumb5" border="0" height="320" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kltlDF5yNqk/T7L-lHa9Y6I/AAAAAAAAAVY/h7Bznc4vGZg/IMG_2563a_thumb5_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2563a_thumb5" width="450" /></a></span> <br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Since moving back to GA a few months ago, we decided we would create different growing areas on the property based on the types of plants we’d like to grow and based on the wildlife we would like to attract to our yard. We are working on a bird and butterfly sanctuary, a shady flower garden entrance, a tilled garden plot for large or sprawling vegetables, and our deck garden. All are works in progress and we are very much enjoying the process.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">In this post, I will discuss the deck garden – a sunny, south-facing spot we use as our “incubator” for seedlings, bulbs, new transplants, and any container/bin plants requiring extra protection from wildlife and/or possible soil diseases. One might describe it as a “working deck” and not so much an aesthetically pleasing garden spot (that would be the intent for our front shade garden – more on that in a future post). </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Our deck serves as a potting shed and plant lab – a convenient place to do growing experiments. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Below are some seeds I received as a gift on Mother’s Day (my family really knows what I love!). I started saving plastic food containers to use as mini-greenhouses for seed-starting and now have a small collection. To germinate, I placed the seeds between 2 moist paper towels, misted and enclosed them in the container, then labeled the plant variety and sowing date with a small Post-it sheet. I moved the stacked containers to the potting bench away from direct sunlight, and I will check to see what has sprouted every few days. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-s6o1DutwVAQ/T7L-lyKzRII/AAAAAAAAAVg/AY7HYLBLkhQ/s1600-h/IMG_2732a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2732a_thumb" border="0" height="360" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TLZkBJxuRzU/T7L-mo_mKXI/AAAAAAAAAVo/QDxU-MfLZjk/IMG_2732a_thumb_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2732a_thumb" width="488" /></a></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TcYBkckPXE0/T7L-nOb9_sI/AAAAAAAAAVw/6zumFpcMn8k/s1600-h/IMG_2746a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2746a_thumb" border="0" height="303" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-c83E6dOGcEY/T7L-npKZ60I/AAAAAAAAAV4/68Kx5QV9bMI/IMG_2746a_thumb_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2746a_thumb" width="494" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">This method works well if you do not have a large space to dedicate to seed germination, and if you would rather not deal with the mess of potting mix or peat pots in your kitchen sink and window sills or other indoor growing space. It can, however, require a bit more work when it is time to transplant. When using peat pots or potting mix in cell packs, you can just remove the rooted seedling and place it in a larger container or garden spot. With paper towel-sprouting, you remove the seedlings at an earlier stage – just after the seed sends out the tap root. Transplanting is easy to do with medium and large seeds, but a bit tricky with tiny seeds. For smaller seeds, I usually lift the whole sprouted paper towel out of the container and lay it directly onto a watered potting mix surface. Rooting continues in the soil mix and the paper towel eventually dissolves. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PXQ3o2gGXZA/T7L-oF243WI/AAAAAAAAAWA/rrF44Dj1ACw/s1600-h/IMG_2648a_thumb%25255B2%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2648a_thumb[2]" border="0" height="249" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Psct6kRt8hM/T7L-opchEPI/AAAAAAAAAWI/AtVNUWKBWpc/IMG_2648a_thumb%25255B2%25255D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2648a_thumb[2]" width="252" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tJldifZ9dIQ/T7L-pHkX5lI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/F_XGvAXLWLw/s1600-h/IMG_2649a_thumb%25255B2%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2649a_thumb[2]" border="0" height="256" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fpMe4DeBCZ4/T7L-pn2MOYI/AAAAAAAAAWY/D_-otRdINhA/IMG_2649a_thumb%25255B2%25255D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2649a_thumb[2]" width="264" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-52RqkBuOWnA/T7L-qZtRIeI/AAAAAAAAAWg/IVcxPOsmhFI/s1600-h/IMG_2810a_thumb%25255B2%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2810a_thumb[2]" border="0" height="240" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QAboF4yeziI/T7L-q2Xh7JI/AAAAAAAAAWo/2Zj7VTWoW5U/IMG_2810a_thumb%25255B2%25255D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2810a_thumb[2]" width="310" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NL4zW_zQ9Pg/T7L-rVNYmwI/AAAAAAAAAWw/vZyVGHuV_ds/s1600-h/IMG_2811a_thumb%25255B2%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2811a_thumb[2]" border="0" height="245" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dQx-_tVDYhY/T7L-roKkUdI/AAAAAAAAAW4/BzszKUAQVrY/IMG_2811a_thumb%25255B2%25255D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2811a_thumb[2]" width="184" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">If a particular seed variety happens to have a low germination rate, you haven’t wasted peat pots, soil, or cell pack space. If you have problems with birds eating corn or sunflower seeds that are directly sown in your garden, pre-sprouting these seeds on paper towels might help to discourage wildlife seeking a meal of dry seeds.</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Our “decks-periment” and other uses for bins</span></b><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">I have a makeshift aquarium (32-gallon plastic bin) on a sheltered part of the deck where I keep 10 goldfish and one blue mystery snail (the snail is for algae clean-up). There is an air pump for oxygenating the water and a couple of fish caves for cover. I change the fish effluent water once every week or two and use it to water plants in pots (not bins) on our deck. The combination of the oxygenated water and the nutrients in the fish effluent water is quite beneficial to plant growth. Plant roots need oxygen for health and vigor. Using this watering method has blessed us with some beautiful produce!</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-r8mOwGtko7Q/T7L-sKvJuJI/AAAAAAAAAXA/wAWIfAL3zMc/s1600-h/IMG_2767a_thumb%25255B3%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2767a_thumb[3]" border="0" height="241" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-M3t7Hr8L7Fo/T7L-s84CMUI/AAAAAAAAAXI/2xEtYZCz1aI/IMG_2767a_thumb%25255B3%25255D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2767a_thumb[3]" width="275" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-T0NMDsGOSJc/T7L-tOCVPxI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/O8LpVNcSnEU/s1600-h/IMG_2815a_thumb%25255B2%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2815a_thumb[2]" border="0" height="199" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dJkRiOtz9Ug/T7L-tvoGPBI/AAAAAAAAAXY/yrJQePhsEME/IMG_2815a_thumb%25255B2%25255D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2815a_thumb[2]" width="244" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-i6R2CKYkgN0/T7L-uGNQl_I/AAAAAAAAAXg/_yVOQE2iupg/s1600-h/IMG_2769a_thumb%25255B8%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2769a_thumb[8]" border="0" height="392" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GvbJ6CszQlY/T7L-uluDVsI/AAAAAAAAAXo/LA8ezfvilgM/IMG_2769a_thumb%25255B8%25255D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2769a_thumb[8]" width="454" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">I have another open bin under a rain spout on the deck to collect rain water. We normally keep a back-up bin on a dolly to move under the drain spout in case of heavy rain. My daughter keeps a large brown tadpole (picture below on right) in the rain bin to clean up algae, and if we cannot use the water before mosquito larvae grow, we put a goldfish in the bin for a couple of hours and the fish eats every bit of the larvae. I am currently using a low-tech system, manually watering the potted plants with the fish and rain water, but hope to eventually move toward a larger, more efficient aquaponic system. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qMCasAW5WPg/T7L-vCcquYI/AAAAAAAAAXw/hAoN3oha_dM/s1600-h/IMG_2789a_thumb%25255B4%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2789a_thumb[4]" border="0" height="347" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cndLFi-2Jls/T7L-vcHxh2I/AAAAAAAAAX4/845YBLl23WY/IMG_2789a_thumb%25255B4%25255D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2789a_thumb[4]" width="232" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fxrnIJfYpPc/T7L-v5sZrvI/AAAAAAAAAYA/tEsBC9Cw6ok/s1600-h/IMG_2813a_thumb%25255B5%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2813a_thumb[5]" border="0" height="347" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FalVUoyihP8/T7L-wI172bI/AAAAAAAAAYI/oiKYqqaeXEo/IMG_2813a_thumb%25255B5%25255D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2813a_thumb[5]" width="218" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><strong>Supplemental watering</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">I use our garden hose to top off the water in the bin reservoirs every other day. Not much water is needed in 10 of the 12 bins. The 2 tomato bins require more watering. I contemplated pouring rain or fish water into the bin reservoirs, but I feel it is a healthier practice to have very clean water (no particles) in an enclosed container. This is only my opinion – there may be folks who have had success using recycled water in enclosed containers. I would love to hear how this worked for others – please email me at <a href="mailto:BeenGardening@gmail.com" target="_blank">BeenGardening@gmail.com</a> or post a comment sharing your growing experiences. I always welcome suggestions and feedback!</span> <br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Thanks so much for reading this post. Below is a picture of a garden gift that bloomed today and also happens to be my favorite scent – freesia!!</span> <br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5WMt_IPA7Lw/T7L-wiC0wXI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/gRsAkQ-YRNg/s1600-h/IMG_2777a_thumb%25255B5%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2777a_thumb[5]" border="0" height="322" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TaGQHEgN0wU/T7L-xPk71-I/AAAAAAAAAYY/lMCJFwOww1o/IMG_2777a_thumb%25255B5%25255D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2777a_thumb[5]" width="288" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BoYgBl2zKaA/T7L-xoIjYiI/AAAAAAAAAYg/U2ffZxtsry0/s1600-h/IMG_2754a_thumb%25255B6%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2754a_thumb[6]" border="0" height="315" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cL4W0cQjZOA/T7L-xzyUOVI/AAAAAAAAAYo/OMcKqWROxco/IMG_2754a_thumb%25255B6%25255D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2754a_thumb[6]" width="218" /></a><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Enjoy your gardening,</span> <br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">~Karen</span>Karalee @ BGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03517521678330110132noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7770004549795162853.post-75218485568292058112012-05-02T14:25:00.001-07:002012-05-02T15:36:05.325-07:00Self-Watering Bins versus Pots<br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zEfczeXy5OQ/T6GkPlbpnRI/AAAAAAAAAL8/wJ5YuRFV8rw/s1600-h/IMG_2294a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2294a" border="0" height="267" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0pP-Abjc8N4/T6GkQGuJFMI/AAAAAAAAAME/3P2fPe7ekyU/IMG_2294a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2294a" width="482" /></a></span> <br />
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<span style="color: black;">What a beautiful season! We have had many warm, sunny days in GA and the container plants are doing very well! Below are comparison pictures of the “Better Boy” tomato variety transplanted from the same 4-cell pack five weeks ago. One was planted in a 6” pot and the other 3 were planted in one of our homemade self-watering bins. I used the same potting mix (Miracle Grow) for both containers, transplanted them on the same day, placed them both in full sun on our deck and watered both thoroughly. I continued to water the potted plant every other day or when the soil started to dry out. I monitored the level of the reservoir of the bin plants everyday by spraying water into the watering tube and counting the seconds it took for water to come out of the overflow hole. I added a bit of water as needed to keep the reservoir full. </span> <br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--caGf0AJNiE/T6GkRMbfv3I/AAAAAAAAAMM/yE4PTgoDWXk/s1600-h/IMG_2304a%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2304a" border="0" height="590" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tX73Ei_p-38/T6GkTXWrE2I/AAAAAAAAAMU/L_78YCMl8xA/IMG_2304a_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2304a" width="501" /></a> <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Bin tomato plants compared to potted tomato</strong></td></tr>
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<span style="color: black;">The results have convinced me that the wicking method (water in a reservoir being wicked up to the potting mix and roots) produces a healthier and more robust crop. The tomato plants grew twice as tall with lush foliage and healthy green tomatoes. We’ll be making more bins this week to experiment with growing melons, potatoes, and garlic. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Last week I started thinking about some variations I wanted to try on our bin design, to attract more pollinators, offer natural pest control and biodiversity, and to make the rows of bins look more aesthetically pleasing. I drilled two 2-inch holes in the front of two newly constructed bins. These are to plant flower seedlings that will grow on the front of the container, giving a more colorful look to the silver bins. I planted petunias in the first set of bins, and plan to plant marigolds in the next set of bins (for insect control and to add color). The 2-inch hole seemed a bit large, so I will reduce the size to 1.5” on our next set of bins.</span> <br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cZaOPjeg0II/T6GkUEo3meI/AAAAAAAAAMc/34mzGXIGQ-s/s1600-h/IMG_2281a%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2281a" border="0" height="323" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MGFn7QNIFbs/T6GkU5SUgQI/AAAAAAAAAMk/7gMrWlr1bjU/IMG_2281a_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2281a" width="513" /></a> <br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uAO4sbjmeyM/T6GkVq67ckI/AAAAAAAAAMs/cxCqC4ZvcgY/s1600-h/IMG_2276a%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2276a" border="0" height="286" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Fp33qhMIV6M/T6GkWVPV97I/AAAAAAAAAM0/3V8fABXYSsA/IMG_2276a_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2276a" width="307" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-k_SMlGfRCe0/T6GkXDbp0EI/AAAAAAAAAM8/siq5wjTaEZ0/s1600-h/IMG_2282a%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2282a" border="0" height="295" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EHu9BAilyHs/T6GkYOFJwAI/AAAAAAAAANE/Cf6FeHUDEUo/IMG_2282a_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_2282a" width="187" /></a> <br />
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<span style="color: black;">I would love to hear from others who have had successes and challenges with growing food in homemade containers. May your efforts be blessed!</span> <br />
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<span style="color: black;">Enjoy the May sunshine!</span> <br />
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<span style="color: black;">~Karen</span>Karalee @ BGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03517521678330110132noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7770004549795162853.post-16199746846100508432012-04-19T13:44:00.001-07:002012-04-19T13:44:52.405-07:00Homemade Seed Mats<br />
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<span style="color: black;">I hope everyone is enjoying the spring weather! Yesterday we had a refreshing afternoon rain and a cool evening in GA, and the plants are loving it! </span><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fD6uooyb09c/T5BDgl00A1I/AAAAAAAAAKE/xp_eBPhYXWQ/s1600-h/IMG_1906b%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1906b" border="0" height="238" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nsISE3DbTRE/T5BDg1KN1iI/AAAAAAAAAKM/Kmyfurs7f90/IMG_1906b_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 0px 103px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1906b" width="307" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: black;">I have had two questions running through my mind this week: How well do seed mats work? I'm referring to the "roll and grow" wildflower, herb, and vegetable mixes you see in garden centers or online that cost from $5 - $30 (not those with built-in heat mats nor the mats with grass seed). These seed mats are from 8"-10" wide and 4' - 10' long. Typically there are 8-9 plant varieties included with over 100 seeds in each mat. The seeds are embedded between sheets of a biodegradable material such as wood fiber layers or tisue paper. I checked several seed mat reviews on Amazon and saw an average customer rating of 2.5 out of 5 stars. The main disappointments expressed were a lack of germination, and not as much variety as advertised on the packaging. I thought there must be a more dependable way to plant, yet still have the ease of using a seed mat. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">I’ve also wondered how many gardeners buy seed packets and plant only a portion of them, intending to save the remaining seeds for the following year. I have saved several seed packets from the past three years. I wanted to test their viability without taking up valuable “real estate” on my deck garden, so I recycled some clear plastic berry containers (plastic sandwich bags would also work) and used a wet paper towel cut in half to do a germination test. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Y6A3V3m8iSI/T5BDhtDCpzI/AAAAAAAAAKU/spCCSQulCTQ/s1600-h/IMG_1917a%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1917a" border="0" height="265" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-chNxz8dGQW8/T5BDiCcNHPI/AAAAAAAAAKc/kzJ67V2ht9A/IMG_1917a_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 0px 99px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1917a" width="337" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">I started with forget-me-not seeds, a favorite flower during my childhood, and planted the whole pack, expecting that maybe 20% of the older seeds would sprout. I saturated the paper towels with lukewarm water and sprinkled the seeds on the bottom towel, then placed the top towel over the seeds inside the plastic container (total prep time: 30 seconds). Since seeds need warmth and moisture to sprout, I placed the container in a sunny window, and in about 5 days, approximately 90% of the seeds had sprouted.</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aFJxxVajozE/T5BDiu1UYXI/AAAAAAAAAKk/0Dp8SsqSfKU/s1600-h/IMG_1915a%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1915a" border="0" height="248" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ICMbdw3hxfo/T5BDjE3TMoI/AAAAAAAAAKs/MRhMwCYlA2Q/IMG_1915a_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px 1px 0px 115px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1915a" width="309" /></a><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">The seedlings remained in the container for another week as their roots penetrated the paper towel. Not wanting to disturb the tender roots, I took the paper towel (now a mini-seedling mat) outside and placed it on top of a pot filled with potting mix. I misted it each morning and within a couple of days more roots were spreading in the potting mix. I will eventually need to thin out the seedlings, but this was an extremely easy (minimal time and almost no-cost) way to test the viability of older seeds.</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KysIwRvLSTQ/T5BDkBAkEBI/AAAAAAAAAK0/4W7pYatJDiQ/s1600-h/IMG_1912a%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1912a" border="0" height="289" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iGZnfywam0g/T5BDknKgTEI/AAAAAAAAAK8/FKkCeLbZVJg/IMG_1912a_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 0px 99px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1912a" width="338" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SGtBwLa-GqU/T5BDlElzitI/AAAAAAAAALE/yqIiBf0EvTw/s1600-h/IMG_1913a%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1913a" border="0" height="292" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-e1mNrvLu6lM/T5BDltEzB4I/AAAAAAAAALM/U3i_FveU5x4/IMG_1913a_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 0px 100px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1913a" width="341" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: black;">I would love to hear other ideas on making and using homemade seed mats and their effectiveness. Meanwhile, I will continue this experiment with other crops to determine whether or not it is an efficient method of germinating older seeds to transfer to a container garden. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Below are some forget-me-not plants that germinated in March. These were purchased in a tiny metal bucket as a growing kit with just a few seeds at Target for $1 – I am anxious to compare the Target flowers to homemade seed mat flowers – stay tuned!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BuRVFQBxCqI/T5BDmTp0YpI/AAAAAAAAALU/vdqwnhmToFw/s1600-h/IMG_1914a%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1914a" border="0" height="282" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-in5rlDqopKE/T5BDm7ZhdXI/AAAAAAAAALc/7tgRHvzKtd8/IMG_1914a_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 0px 101px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1914a" width="352" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: black;">I will close with a couple of pictures from this morning - raindrops on tomato plants growing in our plastic bins. I am thankful that everything seems to be growing very well!</span> <br />
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<span style="color: black;">Blessings to you, gardening friends!</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">~Karen</span>Karalee @ BGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03517521678330110132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7770004549795162853.post-14000974972000717442012-04-16T21:49:00.000-07:002012-04-18T19:06:33.490-07:00Spring Planting in Bins<br />
The seeds are planted and the anticipation is high as we watch the daily changes from seed to sprout to stem with true leaves. I love this “new birth” part of the growing season! <br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rzXNgetrqao/T4zuZfFMvKI/AAAAAAAAAGk/i-O384Qul9I/s1600-h/IMG_1851a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1851a" border="0" height="276" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4MupVHodZuM/T4zuaAaYMRI/AAAAAAAAAGs/RwoMOpUZrCg/IMG_1851a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 1px 139px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1851a" width="220" /></a> <br />
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Here are 6 of the 12 bins we plan to assemble this season. The PVC and other plastic pipes have been pre-cut, so it now takes 30 minutes to “build” each one. The nice thing is that we should be able to re-use these (soil included, but with amendments) for four more years. <br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4IUhBL6kRB8/T4zuagbuf1I/AAAAAAAAAG0/P-a_giV4D-E/s1600-h/IMG_1849a%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1849a" border="0" height="263" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-akzzu3AOF9E/T4zubNk2p5I/AAAAAAAAAG8/IGfPxKCwyxk/IMG_1849a_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1849a" width="413" /></a> <br />
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I have planted cherry tomatoes, Beefsteak tomatoes, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, iceberg lettuce and Romaine lettuce. The most beneficial thing I have noticed using containers in this early part of the season is having no weeds or pests competing with the tender new growth. <br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1bDonyDfD_c/T4zub1cgelI/AAAAAAAAAHE/Q92JDGHCl6Q/s1600-h/IMG_1843a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1843a" border="0" height="260" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kOjeZu2ZIUA/T4zucdnRrKI/AAAAAAAAAHM/61AqWBHBzIw/IMG_1843a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1843a" width="202" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6IwqpyM8giA/T4zudAfxemI/AAAAAAAAAHU/DrrBRxng-XQ/s1600-h/IMG_1844a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1844a" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SUZAywvSQ2U/T4zud9LmiwI/AAAAAAAAAHc/q3UyG1LOYB4/IMG_1844a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 15px 0px 0px 36px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1844a" width="274" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YXZRYsmIKWM/T4zuemIsM4I/AAAAAAAAAHk/eUVOdt-hUVw/s1600-h/IMG_1845a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1845a" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qC-Kwyew2fI/T4zufE0G5NI/AAAAAAAAAHs/3ekHb8wEG_c/IMG_1845a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1845a" width="244" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HZirGyJCFps/T4zugEM6A6I/AAAAAAAAAH0/OZaHXEJWIHc/s1600-h/IMG_1846a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1846a" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7Kww6wsab4E/T4zugoFc6HI/AAAAAAAAAH8/JXJ1CFgpJaI/IMG_1846a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 0px 22px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1846a" width="244" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Xn1F-iqTkqA/T4zuhfbhlMI/AAAAAAAAAIE/96MiX2IdRPo/s1600-h/IMG_1847a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1847a" border="0" height="182" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-H0414kxybo8/T4zuh1V8SEI/AAAAAAAAAIM/pRk579ta8lc/IMG_1847a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 2px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1847a" width="244" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YabaJ6oyJS4/T4zuiYs2RkI/AAAAAAAAAIU/CL2i_PSjsxw/s1600-h/IMG_1848a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1848a" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6w3j1ZcOcx4/T4zui1f3W-I/AAAAAAAAAIc/NNm2hQivujI/IMG_1848a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 2px 21px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1848a" width="244" /></a> <br />
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Bin gardening for vegetables is our main experiment this year. We still plan to till the garden plot and plant some corn, melons, pumpkins, and whatever else my 12-year-old daughter would like to grow. We have provided her with her own growing space each spring since she was 3 years old. She became hooked when she saw her sunflowers grow taller than all of us, and when she ate her sweet, home-grown corn on the cob for lunch one summer afternoon, and when we used the pumpkins she grew for Halloween one year. What a sense of accomplishment for a child (and for an adult)! <br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qKaTiHXQark/T4zuj7ejQKI/AAAAAAAAAIk/gsOscXMrScQ/s1600-h/PICT2244a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="PICT2244a" border="0" height="190" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ibLbvCmRK8U/T4zukfdWIAI/AAAAAAAAAIs/wEwNLpqgsKs/PICT2244a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="PICT2244a" width="244" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1yamQ05db_I/T4zumli6lcI/AAAAAAAAAI0/DNdpPsXMsvc/s1600-h/PICT2738a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="PICT2738a" border="0" height="195" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-J1XNY8yB-VI/T4zunJkxSbI/AAAAAAAAAI8/0PPbFTfS9hE/PICT2738a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 0px 14px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="PICT2738a" width="258" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oxKqKWjFu9s/T4zunkxBR2I/AAAAAAAAAJE/mLogEOgdZYU/s1600-h/PICT2942a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="PICT2942a" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hWx47vVnK9E/T4zun2qW0kI/AAAAAAAAAJM/7OMB06vRhYI/PICT2942a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="PICT2942a" width="195" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-W81lGNxTn8E/T4zuouu5CfI/AAAAAAAAAJU/ZILpRp4oljE/s1600-h/PICT2943a%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="PICT2943a" border="0" height="204" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oo_H_UFTqeM/T4zupJxkrVI/AAAAAAAAAJc/5DLzeGqcxwU/PICT2943a_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 15px 41px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="PICT2943a" width="244" /></a> <br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-B_pngBT0GDA/T4zup6_L8gI/AAAAAAAAAJk/IhHk-FaKxxs/s1600-h/Sunflower%252520Kate%252520a%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Sunflower Kate a" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-c_0PPCtN2fo/T4zuqPlFQAI/AAAAAAAAAJs/HEKHiXxS8Yk/Sunflower%252520Kate%252520a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Sunflower Kate a" width="203" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--oMJig_sj-M/T4zursWDTjI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/s6lLA_vD1O4/s1600-h/IMG_0339b%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0339b" border="0" height="196" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Wv0jIWB9E9k/T4zusEVNpKI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/BrHjZYm8fac/IMG_0339b_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 22px 35px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0339b" width="244" /></a><br />
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Our hope was to instill in our daughter a life-long love of gardening, and an appreciation for the beauty of nature. We are having a wonderful time planting this spring, and she is as excited as we are to try our 2012 “mostly” container gardening experiment.<br />
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For instructions on how to create our self-watering planter from an 18-gallon Sterilite bin, please click on the following video:<br />
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Wishing you successful planting!<br />
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~KarenKaralee @ BGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03517521678330110132noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7770004549795162853.post-76056853366340121382012-03-29T08:22:00.000-07:002012-03-29T08:22:05.055-07:00Homemade Self-Watering Bin<br />
The weather and scenery could not be more delightful this month in NE Georgia! Beautiful fruit blossoms and fresh new leaves color the landscape, along with the not-so-welcome pollen shower that coats vehicles with the characteristic greenish-yellow powder. I empathize with those who stay inside because of allergies during this first glimpse of spring. I am not sensitive to tree pollen, but when the grass pollen hits on May 1<sup>st </sup>(prime growing time here), I retreat to the air conditioned house and emerge only to water plants as needed. Thankfully, the grass pollen clears up in this area around the first week in June. <br />
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Because of the pollen issue, I like to do all sowing and transplanting throughout the month of April. Also, the danger of frost has passed. So, this week I am preparing pots and seed trays, and my husband and I are tweaking the design we’d like to use for our bin garden. <br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vSB9LVi21tc/T3ORaZBT5mI/AAAAAAAAAGA/HfwGFyCrY_g/s1600-h/IMG_1572a%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="IMG_1572a" border="0" height="247" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8hZyxq5TEiU/T3ORa89BJtI/AAAAAAAAAGI/Zzv2OxJhiVs/IMG_1572a_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 11px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1572a" width="260" /></a>This is a picture of our first homemade self-watering container. We used an 18-gallon Sterilite tote (Wal-Mart had the best price ($5) when we bought these for our move two years ago). They might cost around $6 now. I later learned from the Sterilite website that their products (including these solid colored bins) are made of “polypropylene and polyethylene that are safe for food storage. No PVCs, Latex, Teflon, Phthalates chemicals, fungicides, Bisphenol A (BPAs), or antibacterial chemicals are used in our manufacturing process” (<a href="http://www.sterilite.com/general_info.html">http://www.sterilite.com/general_info.html</a> ). I feel this is a safer choice for growing food than Rubbermaid or other similar plastic bins. Rubbermaid states on their website under the FAQ “Product Health and Safety” section that their storage bins are not food-grade safe (<a href="http://www.rubbermaid.com/supportCenter/Pages/FAQs.aspx?TopicID=4">http://www.rubbermaid.com/supportCenter/Pages/FAQs.aspx?TopicID=4</a>) . In other words, if there are potentially toxic chemicals (unsafe for food storage), and the bin is not UV-stable, UV rays and heat could cause some of the chemicals to leach into the soil or water if using a container with a water reservoir. I wouldn’t want to grow a potential food source where harmful chemicals may be present. We do have some Rubbermaid bins leftover from our move, and I may use these for flower bulbs and other non-edible garden plants such as fragrant herbs and flowers for arranging, pressing, and crafts. <br />
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Neither the Sterilite nor Rubbermaid storage bins are meant to last indefinitely when exposed to outdoor conditions year-round. I have read differing opinions regarding the longevity of these containers when used outside. My goal is to try to use ours for 4 years before they start breaking down. The majority of our bins are light silver which should work well for the hot summers in GA (protecting the roots from “baking” in the heat). Darker bins should work well in climates with mild summers where gardeners want to expedite the soil-warming process in spring and extend the growing season in the fall. <br />
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Using a storage bin as a planter is not an original idea, but a modification of the popular <i>Earthbox®, GrowBox, Global Buckets, </i>and<i> EarthTainer</i> systems. YouTube has many videos on various ways to create a self-watering container from storage bins and 5-gallon buckets. After viewing approximately 35 videos, I jotted down the ideas I liked best and discussed the possibilities for our 18-gallon bins with my husband. We both liked the idea of eliminating the extra steps of excessive drilling, sawing, and cutting, if it would not negatively impact the efficiency of the system or ultimately compromise the health of the plant. We also prefer to not be wasteful of materials. Some gardeners use two bins to create one container, throwing out part of the second container. This would cost twice as much as the one-bin method and would create unnecessary waste. <br />
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Frugality is also important to me in this project. As much as I love the idea of reducing the weeds, pests, and disease problems that may come with planting in the ground, I do not wish to replace ground planting with an expensive container gardening method. Basically, I am seeking a simple, safe, inexpensive, non-wasteful way to recycle our bins as planters. If you happen to have food-grade 5-gallon buckets available, or extra reusable shopping bags, these would make great planters as well. <br />
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A word of caution about using fabric shopping bags to grow food: These bags have been distributed to stores all over the world in an effort to reduce the amount of plastic shopping bags being used. They typically are sold for around $1 in the US, and are a sturdy, porous, and lightweight option for holding soil. There is aeration on all sides which is great for root systems and for drainage. I have not experimented with gardening in these “green” bags yet. I read that several major chain stores had recalled their reusable bags because of high lead content (<a href="http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/retail/2011-01-23-reusable-bags_N.htm">http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/retail/2011-01-23-reusable-bags_N.htm</a>). Also, bags that have been used to carry raw meat should be washed in a bleach solution to kill harmful bacteria before growing food (actually, it is recommended that they be washed after every grocery trip). I believe that these bags, if made of natural materials (jute, organic cotton, hemp, or canvas) with no print and no bottom insert or a lead-free insert, would make excellent garden containers, especially for developing nations. These would be inexpensive to ship in large quantities and would work well with heavier garden soil, given the porosity of the bags. I am watching and learning about this topic from the innovative folks at <i>Global Buckets </i>(<a href="http://www.globalbuckets.org/p/grow-bags.html">http://www.globalbuckets.org/p/grow-bags.html</a>). <br />
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<img align="left" alt="IMG_1509a" border="0" height="275" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MJ4KXzZ53gE/T3ORc7bOFMI/AAAAAAAAAGg/9OPrVq949vI/IMG_1509a%25255B47%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 13px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1509a" width="233" /> <br />
The materials we used to create our first planter are: one silver <i>Sterilite</i>18-gallon bin ($6), two 9-ounce plastic <i>Solo </i>or<i> Hefty</i> cups with holes drilled in the sides and bottom of the cups (approximately 10 cents for two), three 3-inch- high sections of 4”-diameter PVC pipe (approx. 93 cents – we purchased an 8-foot pipe from Home Depot for just under $9, then cut off 9” for the first bin), a hollow plastic leg saved from a plastic shelf for a watering tube (we may use PVC or a length of an old garden hose later – need to research the safety of these), and 2 cubic feet of Miracle Grow potting mix (not the moisture control formula) ($13). A less expensive alternative to buying bagged potting mix is to make your own potting mix with one part perlite, one part peat moss, and five parts compost (add small amount of lime if growing tomatoes). I have found that garden soil or topsoil is too heavy for plastic container gardening. <br />
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Because we already have the bins, and because we plan to use the soil mix for 4 years (amending it each year), we decided to splurge on a pre-mixed potting medium. One could spend $7 on each homemade planter (without potting mix), or less if you already have the supplies on hand. For a price comparison of homemade containers versus company-made, <i>Earthbox</i>® sells the original <i>Earthbox</i> system (container, aeration screen, watering tube, and plastic mulch sheets) for $33 each, plus $10 shipping. Their container also holds 2 cubic feet of potting mix (purchased separately) (<a href="http://www.earthbox.com/The-Original-EarthBox/products/52/">http://www.earthbox.com/The-Original-EarthBox/products/52/</a>) . This is a well-established company with an informative website. Their original product has helped people all over the world, and has sparked many ideas for creating self-watering containers from the frugal do-it-yourself crowd! <br />
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Please check back soon for pictures and instructions on our finalized self-watering design we will use for the rest of our bins.<br />
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Blessings on your gardening! <br />
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KarenKaralee @ BGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03517521678330110132noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7770004549795162853.post-8981988908776835592012-03-05T18:32:00.000-08:002012-03-07T11:15:48.004-08:00First-time Blogger; Long-time Gardener<br />
Thank you so much for visiting my first blog post. I adore gardening and have experimented with various growing methods over the years, including building a greenhouse (with plenty of help from friends), tilling a large plot for fenced row gardening, square foot gardening, lasagna gardening, no-till raised bed gardening, bird and butterfly gardening, hydroponic and modified aquaponic gardening, and container gardening. <br />
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Neither my husband nor I grew up on a farm, so we have quite a learning curve when it comes to living in the country (to the probable amusement of our wonderful neighbors who are the real deal when it comes to navigating all aspects of country life). We are blessed to look out the window and see their horses, cows, cornfields, and barns. We love it here and continue to experiment with what we fondly refer to as our “no-tractor" gardening techniques.<br />
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Pictures of our previous projects: Greenhouse, raised beds, fenced rows, square foot garden.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xWE4QBI_IF0/T1U4s5zPcJI/AAAAAAAAADw/XOcP9y-xWzk/s1600-h/greenhouse%2525204a%25255B2%25255D.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="greenhouse 4a" border="0" height="195" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5D6_vB5w_R0/T1U4tqpf98I/AAAAAAAAAD4/7v1CMCUGTZw/greenhouse%2525204a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="greenhouse 4a" width="320" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-stnXY6xX70k/T1U4rnpqN7I/AAAAAAAAADg/RxZS6tPp1Kk/s1600-h/greenhouse%2525203a%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="greenhouse 3a" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DLFtwYBflIA/T1U4sIAE5nI/AAAAAAAAADo/eLP6tNfZOZY/greenhouse%2525203a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="greenhouse 3a" width="180" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6HSpA4LTF9k/T1U4uZl6k0I/AAAAAAAAAEA/KA7_52ywAHs/s1600-h/Raised%252520beds%2525201a%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Raised beds 1a" border="0" height="127" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zaGXbeNTYl4/T1U4uyiRSCI/AAAAAAAAAEI/FaonAke_l7I/Raised%252520beds%2525201a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Raised beds 1a" width="244" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YzqPtgIMS6M/T1U4wIU9HOI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/KK0r3Jkczt8/s1600-h/raised%252520beds%2525202a%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="raised beds 2a" border="0" height="147" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4ZFKpTnQlNo/T1U4wUY0hlI/AAAAAAAAAEY/Etad3gs-znw/raised%252520beds%2525202a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="raised beds 2a" width="244" /></a> <br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JyVZduJ9jPs/T1U4xoI4-gI/AAAAAAAAAEg/ShbkoOtvJw8/s1600-h/fenced%252520garden%2525201a%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="fenced garden 1a" border="0" height="163" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DGDhCbUx9t0/T1U4yNaBWjI/AAAAAAAAAEo/pvuvWRGx2mo/fenced%252520garden%2525201a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="fenced garden 1a" width="244" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Dh_EYiRjDns/T1U4zfYkOzI/AAAAAAAAAEw/WMZs_k4dJ8U/s1600-h/fenced%252520garden%2525202a%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="fenced garden 2a" border="0" height="144" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5UxZlQcnRlg/T1U4z1i38RI/AAAAAAAAAE4/Qkkb3LGK_v8/fenced%252520garden%2525202a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="fenced garden 2a" width="244" /></a> <br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yHWj2jPRL3Y/T1U41CkYhMI/AAAAAAAAAFA/Cx9OOBATG_Y/s1600-h/SQ%252520FT%252520GARDEN%2525201A%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="SQ FT GARDEN 1A" border="0" height="166" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lnR-Bo1S9jY/T1U41xcVVhI/AAAAAAAAAFI/KhEG5D3rNic/SQ%252520FT%252520GARDEN%2525201A_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="SQ FT GARDEN 1A" width="244" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Q-52HK82X_I/T1U42rEMZTI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/TInw3ZPB2uk/s1600-h/SQ%252520FT%252520GARDENING%2525202a%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="SQ FT GARDENING 2a" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WmYFwNVn9yM/T1U43E6eF7I/AAAAAAAAAFY/995vdpYNVOQ/SQ%252520FT%252520GARDENING%2525202a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="SQ FT GARDENING 2a" width="170" /></a> <br />
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My earliest memories of being fascinated with gardens came from visiting both sets of grandparents when I was very young. My step great-grandfather was born and raised in Italy, and had an amazing garden in a small backyard in a crowded Connecticut neighborhood. He grew heirloom tomatoes that provided spaghetti sauce for a year, and all the grapes he needed for his homemade wine. Everything was perfectly staked, mostly growing vertically to make room for all the vegetables and herbs. Oh, the smell of sweet basil in that garden!! I grew more intrigued with his frugal masterpiece with every passing summer visit.<br />
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I also had a grandmother in upstate NY who designed a lovely cottage garden in her side yard with many types of roses, peonies, and anything with a large, fragrant bloom. She placed a reflective garden ball on a stand at the center of the garden and I wanted to just linger there all afternoon, appreciating every flower and fragrance.<br />
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My parents never gardened in the traditional sense, though my dad enjoyed doing landscape projects. My mother loved flowers, but was raised in the city, and enjoyed her flowers from the window or in a bouquet on our table. When I was around age five, I recall her pointing out the lilacs, violets, peonies, tulips, and daffodils in our yard. I was thrilled to have these treasures for a season.<br />
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During my elementary and high school years, the love and calling of music overshadowed the interest in growing things, but as soon as I had my first apartment in college, I started collecting houseplants. I ended up with a shelf full of indoor plants in my tiny living space. I loved caring for those plants - shining their leaves, dividing and repotting, and making sure they were healthy. This was my first container gardening experience. The hobby evolved, and plants were in every room of every college dwelling I had after that.<br />
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One year while living in PA, I attended the Philadelphia Spring Flower Show and fell in love with the scent of freesias (still my favorite flower scent!). I brought back armfuls of flowers and plants to decorate my apartment, and had become thoroughly addicted to all things horticultural.<br />
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I later lived in south Florida where my husband and I bought our first home and I learned to garden and landscape on a fifth of an acre in Tropical Zone 10. Because of our small space, I decided to grow culinary herbs hydroponically and set up a system using shallow bins and rock wool in our garage. It was a wonderful diversion and relaxation activity while finishing some rigorous course work and doctoral recitals. <br />
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A few years ago, my pre-teen daughter helped me with a deck garden and we were both so pleased with the results that we became container-plant converts. Even with the land space we have (which we will still use for corn, sunflowers, and pumpkins), we loved not having to deal with weeds, red clay soil, deer, fire ants, and a higher water bill for irrigation. Gardening was much more enjoyable and less time-consuming with containers. We did not use self-watering containers, but kept goldfish and koi, and used their effluent water, along with collected rain water, for irrigation. My husband said the tomatoes we grew in containers that summer were the best he'd ever had. The success and low maintenance of that growing season led me to conclude that container gardening is the best fit for my family and me, and we are excited to share some of our experiences as we create self-watering containers out of storage bins to grow our spring and summer vegetables, herbs, and flowers. <br />
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Until next time, happy spring gardening!<br />
~KarenKaralee @ BGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03517521678330110132noreply@blogger.com2