xylona's Blog at GardenStew.com

6/13/08 Garden Notes

xylona — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:03:56 -0400

Author: xylona
Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 7:03 pm (GMT 0)

Cauliflower

Spinach

Broccoli

Basil

Peppers

Snapdragons

Tomato Plants

Well my cauliflower still looks pretty healthy, but isn't getting any bigger. My broccoli has gotten huge, however the edible parts didn't get very big and started to flower(at least I am pretty sure that is the part you are supposed to eat....unless it comes back after the flowering). The spinach actually looks like spinach now. The basil I planted didn't get very far...so my friend, Sharon, gave me some of hers. I put them in a pot and they have done pretty well! The cayenne pepper plants are growing and still looking pretty good. No peppers yet though. I was told by a co-worker that I should see any until about end of July/beginning of August, so I am not too worried about it. My tomato plants have done very well. They are flowering like crazy and I even saw a little tomato has formed on my Cherry Tomato plant. I have cut on my lettuce and argula about a week ago. They are both coming back pretty good...although the weeds are starting to intermix into my argula. My green onions sprouted and are growing...but they are still very small. I don't know if I will actually get anything out of them this year.

5-25-08 Garden Notes

xylona — Sun, 25 May 2008 16:27:01 -0400

Author: xylona
Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 8:27 pm (GMT 0)

Well I tranplanted most of my stuff into the ground today. I found that I didn't seem to have enough room for it all.
I did my soil test yesterday and found the following on my soil:
PH-neutral
Nit-Low
Phos-medium
Potash-very low

When I trasplanted, I used all the soil in my pots to mix in with the ground soil. I am thinking that it might be a good idea to buy some food though.

We got a pretty good storm system that came through this morning, so I wasn't sure I was going to be able to do anything with my plants today. However it didn't seem that it rained too much. The soil was damp, but not wet.
Upon digging through my soil to loosen it up, I found that my first assumption of my ground soil was incorrect. It is not clay. It has a more airy quality to it, like loam, but not super airy. I also found a couple of seashells and fish scales while digging. I am wondering if this section of soil was used for plantings of some sort by prior owners of the house.
We will have to see how the plants do, now that they are in the ground.

5-21-08 Garden Notes

xylona — Wed, 21 May 2008 22:25:56 -0400

Author: xylona
Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 2:25 am (GMT 0)

I watered my plants today....they are looking pretty good. The Sunsugar tomato plan is about 2 feet tall or so. I have put a post on up when to pinch the top. I will have to see what everyone thinks.
I also went to Farm & Home supply (local farming/gardening type store), and purchased a hoe and a hard rake to start in on my little section of yard for transplanting.
Also under the advice of Sjoerd, I purchased a soil test kit, which I plan to start with in the next day or two, since I am hoping to do my transplanting either this weekend or next weekend.
I also looked at the "Arbor Day Foundation" website and found a couple of possible shrubs to purchase for hedging at a future date.
Prospects are Privet, North and Arborvitae, American. Weren't too expensive, but need to do a bit more research on these to see if they might work as a really tight hedge...almost like a fence.
Also checked at the store for snapdragons, but did not find any. I will need to look again, maybe this weekend, at some other places and see if anyone has any left.

5-19-08 Garden Notes

xylona — Mon, 19 May 2008 10:32:48 -0400

Author: xylona
Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 2:32 pm (GMT 0)

I am pleased to announce that the green onions and basil finally showed sprouts on Sunday the 18th. I was getting a bit worried that they were going to show up. They just took a little longer than the rest. The arugula is getting bigger and a little bushier. I may have to look at thinning them in the next couple of weeks or so. I will have to keep an eye on them and see how things go.
My husband and suggested that I purchase a hoe and dig up the section of the yard by the house and put the plants into the ground. I may do this, as I am not sure how well my broccoli and cauliflower are going to do in a pot, once they become larger. Also our windy weather seems to be dying down a bit, so I may not need to move them onto the patio for protection.
I have also started to think about putting some flowers, shrubs, or some other decorate type plant along the walkway up to our house. I will have to do a little bit of research and see what I come up with.

5-16-08 Garden Notes

xylona — Fri, 16 May 2008 15:21:06 -0400

Author: xylona
Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 7:21 pm (GMT 0)

I examined my spinach and saw the first few sprouts today! I am so happy as I was beginning to get worried that they would not come up. Especially after I read some postings of people having issues with this.
Onions and Basil still do not show signs of sprouting.
Weather has been somewhat warm and clear all day. I may need to water my garden again soon.

5-15-08 Garden Notes

xylona — Thu, 15 May 2008 17:50:59 -0400

Author: xylona
Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 9:50 pm (GMT 0)

Okay I purchased my seeds and seedlings the last week or so of April. Here is a list of what I purchased:

Lettuce (seeds)
Arugula (seeds)
Broccoli (seedlings)- 2
Cauliflower (seedlings)- 4
Green onions (seeds)
Basil (seeds)
Sunsugar Cherry Tomatoe (seedling)-1
Pear (cherry) Tomatoe (seedlings)-2
Spinach (seeds)
Cayenne pepper (seedlings)-3

I planted all my seeds and transplanted my seedlings on 5/9/08 (1qtr-cancer)

Not a good time for the onions, but we will see how the do.
Getting a bit late in the season to start a garden, so I had to make do with what I could.

As of Monday 5-12-08 my arugula has already started to sprout and by Tuesday 5-13-08 my lettuce or Spinach (didn't label boxes) started to sprout as well.
As of 5/15/08 my onions, spinach (I think), and basil have not sprouted.