Outdoor Patch & Vid2

Planting more...

This morning and afternoon I worked in the scorching weather planting more watermelon seeds, almost all of the rest of the strawberries, watering, and planting another round of Lemon Balm. 

I planted a few more watermelon seeds in the hopes that they would germinate like a few of the others have and I'd be able to give them to AFAC. I didn't plant them all in the beginning because they were my "reach" plant. If they did germinate then I'd planned to grow more. Not all of them have, yet, but I do hope they will. I planted the new pots with compost, perlite, and organic potting mix. I think the compost will give the watermelon seeds the kick they need. I also planted the seeds that were in the bottle. They weren't doing anything at all so I guess those are our results. You cannot pre-germinate scarified or any watermelon seeds. I am hoping the ones in the bottle will germinate in soil so we'll have some data on whether or not scarifying helps any. 

I planted some more Lemon Balm because I'd forgotten to plant a control group. The cups I did plant of Lemon Balm were with primed seeds that actually turned out very difficult to plant. I still don't know that I got any of them in the pots. I have a few more days until the proposed germination time is up so I guess we'll find out soon. In the mean time, I wanted to make sure I had both primed and controlled groups trying to germinate. Lemon Balm is really amazing in deterring pests, it smells great, and is used for medicinal purposes. It would be nice to have some around. 

I replaced 2 of the strawberry plants (from the top 2 ports) in the Topsy Turvy. One had completely died because the roots weren't covered and one was almost dead. I was able to revive the second by removing it from the TT planter and planting it back in a cup with mostly compost. It has perked up a lot since. I added two new plants to the TT and more compost and soil to make sure that the roots were fully covered and watering wouldn't wash them out. So far Topsy Turvy is getting a thumbs down. Because I can't rely on the TT planter, and I have extra strawberry plants, I planted the 5-gallon bucket I painted with 7 strawberry plants. I poked holes in the bottom of the bucket with nails and a hammer and planted along the rim so that the plants would hang over the edge when they got tall enough. That way I don't have to worry about rotting fruit. I'm hoping one of the two planters or both gives me a good harvest. In case your wondering, I'm able to plant that many plants in a small container because 1) I don't plan to let the runners grow and 2) the plants don't need as much space when they've got a "wall" on one side. 

After I planted and watered the 5-gallon bucket I carried it over to Patch and set it down while I grabbed 3 bricks to lay under the bucket. The bricks have 2 holes in them and will help with drainage for the planter. This will be a test of which works best... more traditional planter or Topsy Turvy Upside Down planter?

Thinning seeds after step 2 and tour of Patch Outdoors.

Making the planter hammering nails in to make holes.

Planter completed and set on bricks to help with drainage.

Black Gold

Compost Pick Up

I stayed up late last night searching for compost. I had searched for it in the past with little to no luck but that was because I was searching in the wrong place. I should have gone to craigslist all along. Several farms and compost businesses were advertising there product in the GARDEN/FARMING section. So I emailed one farmer that advertised 65lb for $10.00. He didn't reply by morning so I moved on. I am happy that I did because I only had to travel to American University (about 20 mins drive) to buy 20lbs for $5.00 and I supported a Veteran business. 

Before Veteran Compost I called a man "known for his compost" and he said that the minimum I could buy was 4 cubic yards. I had already filled my garden beds with soil. I would have loved to fill them with compost but like I said I couldn't find it back in March so that wasn't going to work. I did keep him in mind for my boyfriends Dad because he delivered in bulk and the price was right. For the topsoil MG crap Mr. S would have ended up paying somewhere close to $400.00 for 2 cubic yards. Opposed to $125.00 for 4 cubic yards. After getting the no from Bulk-man I emailed Veteran Compost and a guy named Jeff called me back 20 minutes later saying that I could pick my bag/s up around 3pm at the AU campus. The ride down was a bit more complicated than I thought... I guess I don't know the area as well as I thought I did. I ended up having to turn around on Nebraska 3 times before I found the right AU gate entrance. It was worth it though. I meant Jeff picked up a bag and went home to plant my strawberries. 

Topsy Turvy...

The second I got home with the compost I pulled out the organic potting mix and perlite. I would have planted in all compost but the Topsy Turvy was already going to be very heavy and compost is heavier than potting mix. I didn't want to risk waking up to a crumbled over planter. I pulled out the freshly painted recycling bin and pour in 1 part potting mix to 1 part compost to .75 parts perlite. The mix was compost heavy but not weight heavy. I began filling the planter and un-cupped 1 strawberry. What happened next was something I was afraid of from the moment I received the bare root berries, the soil fell of and the holes in the planter weren't holding them. Now, the roots did grow in the cups but because I wasn't able to fan them out they didn't grab much soil so in the end I did have a better root system but I still had to plant barefoot. I added soil, a row of berries, then more soil, more berries and so on until I hit the top. I filled in the planter with 2 inches to spare and brought my Shepard hook to where the sun is currently best. I tried lifting the planter. I failed. I tried again with a grunt and heave and finally got it on the hook just to have to take it back down because I'd forgotten the lid. Another grunt heave and back up on the hook to water. I started watering, slowly as suggested, and realized that the water was just going down the middle. Burpee suggested that I got the roots to 3 inches so I didn't think the middle would do it for the first time around. I heaved it back off the hook and finally thought to myself, Topsy Turvy bad idea. It's almost as tall as I am and weighs about as much AND it's burying my CROWNS! UGH!! I don't really recommend it so far, especially if your a petite female. Maybe it'll grow amazing berries and I'll take this all back but the work has not yet been worth it. I watered and added some more compost mix because hanging compacted the soil and the top plants roots were showing then I heaved and ho'ed because it was heavier and finally got it back on the hook for good. Before I left the planter I went around to check that all the crowns were positioned properly. Hanging had caused most of them to dip down, so 1 by 1 I pulled them all back out. The planter has been a hassle and a half. I hope it produces and well or I might have to send Mr Topsy Turvy some "compost."

I have 12 strawberry plants left that I plan on planting in different containers around Patch. I think it'll be a good way to compare the results of the Topsy Turvy and ensure that I get some strawberries even if the planter ends up being complete crap. I didn't do much else but water today because picking up the compost and planting the strawberries took me a few hours. I did tell Mikes Dad about the compost and place the order. I think it's great that my misses ended up being helpful to his garden. We'll be getting 3 cubic yards of compost delivered to the house tomorrow. I'm very excited about, what I call, Potagar (French for Kitchen Garden) Schoultz. We'll all be green yet!

Plan for Potagar Schoultz

Dreams Dashed

Dreams...

I'll explain the dream. The dream was that I would buy six strawberry plants and 6 mixed seedlings and my garden would be lush and beautiful. I figured the topsy turvy was some miracle planter that wouldn't let my berries die. I also dreamed that I'd come within budget, $135.00. Considering how much recycled and home materials I used that was a logical dream.

Dashed...

I found out that I need 12 strawberry plants @ $5.00 a plant to fill the topsy turvy to the minimum. It actually fits 30 plants. I found out that the most common seedling sold has been known for disease, Bonnie. I found out that regular potting soil may kill my plants because its just not good enough. I found out I wouldn't meet my budget. If you know me that's the worst of them all. I am unbelievably frugal. Happens when you grow up with little money and not much choice about it.

Overview...
I'm doomed! But my topsy turvy came today so that's good. UGH!