Beginner Woes

Pruning...

Today was a rainy and dark day. It just was not suited to be outside in any way. So I didn't go out... No gardening but I did fill in my garden note book. I started it when I started the garden just a calendar of when to plant everything and the care for each plant in my garden and Potagar. I added the Potagar plants when we got them but I have all the care notes. As I was going through them I realized that quite a few of the plants need pruning. Now, here is the thing I don't know what that means in the slightest. I cannot find any videos on my specific stuff and the written descriptions online are not helpful at all. Most of the curcubits need pruning, especially, the cucumbers they need to be pruned three times before "fruit setting." Another issue I don't really know when "before fruit setting" is... I think in terms of beginners I should have stuck with beginner plants like carrots, radishes, lettuce, tomatoes, and etc. They attract less pests and they don't need to be pruned or messed with in the slighted. I do know that a lot of the "easy" plants call for more compost tea when the fruit sets but I figure that's a little easier to figure out. It's when fruit starts to come in, I'm sure? 

Anyway, I will be looking into all of these things and letting you know what they mean. I'll probably end up asking someone at AFAC. They are mostly intermediate to master gardener's so they'll definitely know. As much as it is nice to help out with the local gardens for charity it's also nice to have a wealth of knowledge other than books, internet, and videos. Especially when the internet and videos are lacking. If you don't have local gardens check your library they most likely have some type of master gardener conferences and seminars taking place. I know that this pruning and fruit setting thing would be driving me completely crazy if I didn't have people to ask. The hard fruits and veggies seem to be the ones that are the most delicious. That's my experience anyway. 

Tomorrow is going to be another rainy and dark day so if I get a moment outside I'll do a  quick video update to show you everything. I included the one pruning video I could find on one of my plants but it's not one that really needed it according to my notes. 

From Nada to Prada

So excited...

I had to show everyone the new greenhouse I made. I jumped out of bed at about 1am with an idea on how to make a small greenhouse for my plants. My last attempt was ugly, slouching, and weird but worked. I wanted something that could hold all of my seedlings, starters, and strawberries and didn't slouch on the job.

One A.M. Build...

So like I was saying I jumped out of bed and grabbed some old styrofoam (protects computers), some plastic wrapped, clear and black tape, and some kabob sticks. I used 3 out of 4 styrofoam protectors as trays and taped them together. I used the last styrofoam piece as the top frame. I cut it into strips. Then I stuck groups of 3 kabob sticks in each corner and in the center between the corners. I attempted putting the frame on the flat end of the sticks but the pieces of foam wouldn't hold so I taped half of a kabob stick pointy end up to the taped groups of 3. Then I added the upper frame and taped some of it down and used kabob sticks to hold tougher pieces down. Then I took squares of 3-4 ply plastic wrap and started wrapping it around the frame, stapling the bottom and securing it with black duct tape then securing the top with clear tape to the upper frame. I taped the seams with ultra clear tape and continued like that all the way around. Finally, it was time to add the top. I had to make the top removable because the trays were built into the greenhouse. It was no longer a cover. So I cut a perfect square of 3-4 ply wrap and placed it on top, because it was thick and the sides were thick it just sort of stuck there holding on to the other plastic. Great!!! I was done... Basically! All I needed to do now was add some cardboard pieces to cover the holes in the styrofoam trays and add the strawberries. I did all this in about 5 minutes and was glad to see that I still had space for about 5 paper seedling cups after adding the strawberries. I picked the entire thing up carefully and placed it in its overnight bed. After admiring it for a minute I made one last adjustment. I grabbed a few dress pins from my sewing kit and lightly secured the top. The pins would allow its easy removable but assure its placement during gusts of wind!!

I am so proud of my little greenhouse it is about a billion times better than my first attempt and it only took me 45 mins to build. I went from a makeshift, but working, slouching plastic heap of a cover to a designer mini greenhouse that will hold around 32 seedling cups! Still amazed at my own work (not in a conceited way more in the wow I didn't know IIII could do thissss, way)!