The last few months have been very hot and dry, but with the water we pump from the wells helps them out get through the rough periods. When it does not rain we come out once a day, in the mornings before the sun is up over the beds. Using a pump and battery we pull water from barrels. And give each bed enough water to get through the hot day.
The lettuces have done well, but I regret not putting more wood chips around them. The mud splashes up on them and makes it hard to wash them. If they were dressed in wood chips I think it would help.. Well next year we know what to do. This bed also settled a lot and needs more dirt anyways.
The cantaloupe vine is doing well in the horseshoe bed, though the other small bed they are in is not as well. But luckily we do have a fruit forming.
Eventually we will put it over a brick to help keep it dry.
My raised beds are mostly holding together well. I did learn that screws do not like being pulled, and will break. So I may need to put some t-posts by some of the beds were the screws holding them together do not become an issue.
This year is going much better for the tomatoes, but not without issue.
Some of the tomatoes are forming something called “end rot”. So we have bought some magnesium and calcium to see if that helps resolve this issue.
Big beef stake fruits are forming.
The pepper plants are starting to become active. For months they did not do much besides just survive. But now I see them forming new leaf sets.
Another plant that has taken off is horse gram (Dolichos biflorus), it will produce edible beans. But right now its vining out and reaching for the fence.
A week later and wow its half way up the fence. From what I have read its also known as “lablab”. This is my first time growing it.
My potato cuttings are coming up, not many. I think I may have cut up old spuds when I needed more green ones.. Oh well. If we get any that would be cool.
At this point most beds are uncovered, but a few still need attention and covering.
Hopefully next year we will fill in all the beds, this year I would say 3/4 are full.
Even the ginger is getting its ass kicked by this weather. Its growing but quite yellow and not so happy. Seems most things growing in these very shallow beds are not happy. Maybe they got less dirt than the rest.
So hopefully the plants recover as the weather gets more rainy. But at one point we got no rain for a month, and I think it takes a toll on some of these plants.
The wild flowers growing seem quite happy and unphased by the dry weather.
We just leave them be and only cut them back when they are crowding important plants.
The tomatillo plants are growing and forming flowers. We hope to get some fruit soon.
They have little yellow flowers on them.
While checking on our beds I came across this baby turtle. I offered it some lettuce but seems it was uninterested.
I left it alone and shortly after it walked off to somewhere else.
Without these barrels I do not think the garden would be growing. I am thankful to have such machines to make this possible. And always looking to improve, maybe with some permanent irrigation as a long term goal.
Previous posts on this years annual garden project:
https://peakd.com/hive-140635/@solominer/annual-garden-june-update
Overall, all your vegetables really did well.😊😊
Yeah, and I'm sure it will be perfect next year since you already know the missing this year.😊
I'm looking forward to see more fruits from your vegetables and more leafy one.😊
You really prepare well this year too.😊
Thanks, yeah some of them are doing well. So true, hopefully the mistakes I make this year can be fixed next year.
Okay cool, will do.
You're welcome.😊 I'm sure it will be fixed..😊
Good morning dear friend @solominer
All the things you have done in advance helped you see the growth of your vegetables, everything looks very good despite the difficulties of the weather, luckily you have these water tanks that were very helpful for irrigation.
Without a doubt, this coming year it will cover 100% of the terraces.
Have a great day
Good morning, so true those water barrels really do help me out a lot. I think those vines are going to cover that whole fence as well.
thanks
Oh man, those beefsteaks look great. It has me craving a nice BLT right about now! My parents had that issue with end rot on their tomatoes several years ago. I'm not sure what they did to fix it. They also used to have rain barrels too, but they ended up getting rid of them. I'd probably have a much nicer garden if I had rain barrels. Our yard has a sprinkler system, but then I have to mow more, so I have never used it!
Yeah those are looking real juicy, hopefully they ripen up okay. Haha.. that would be tasty.
Oh well hopefully we can correct the issue.
Hah yeah I used to have a sprinkler system. But kept hitting water lines underground so I got fed up and stopped.
Yeah, I hear you on that last part. I have a feeling I would have puddles in my yard and under my deck from heads that have broken off or gotten covered!
Your farming method is really commendable. You use cow-buffalo dung as manure in your farm. It is very effective sweet in increasing the fertility of the land and getting a good crop. Water is something that should be conserved and used a lot. Because the source of water is limited. After the well water has to be depended on rain. Your post always brings something new. @solominer
Thanks, ah okay well I do not have any cow poop but I am sure I could source some.
Glad you enjoyed my post.
I love this idea you’re using to plant. I have never seen plant beds raised as high as this. The plants are even looking good and doing well
Nice one!
Ah thanks, yeah higher beds help out with not having to bend over as much.
Awwww I guess it was nice to see one, I haven't seen one before and I would be thrilled if I get to see one.
Your farm land looks so big.
It was cool to see one.. I see them time to time, but usually in the forest.
Sure is :-)
So glad the garden is thriving despite the challenges. The use of barrels seems really effective 🤔 nice one !HUG
I sent 1.0 HUG on behalf of @theringmaster.
(3/3)
I am too.. and they sure are great to have.
They really are !WINE
Your garden looks very beautiful. You paid attention to even the smallest details. I'm sorry the tomatoes rotted. I know that wood ash is good for tomato diseases.
Much appreciated, yeah hopefully we can fix that issue.
Oh okay good to know, thanks.
It is good to see even with this heat dome, your garden is surviving. So it looks they have the right amount of water. Many flowers pop up that are beautiful! Where this turtle come from ?lol
Heat dome? You mean the shade cloth?
Probably a baby turtle that unhatched from an egg recently.
Just the heat that is frying us in north america lol, so it brings dryness etc
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I recommend getting a good book on companion planting. You can save even more water with the right plants, lessen the need for sprays, and increase yield even more.
Oh okay, thanks for the tip. I will look into more of that.
Fair warning first though, it’s a bit of a rabbit hole once you get started down that path.
Basically you’re using other plants to protect your main plants. For example Marigolds are great to keep pests away.
Onions planted with carrots will stop carrot fly from getting your crop.
Some plants pull water from deep in the ground which benefits other crops.
You do have to be wary though because some plants will kill other plants. For example Mint and Parsley will kill each other as they spread their roots.
It’s a fascinating subject and one I’m wanting to get into when I get my garden going.
I know what you mean, having plants intermingle like that can be beneficial but also bad if done wrong or having the wrong plants mixed together.
Hope you make some good progress using companion planting. I will surely look into it and consider that for next years garden plans.
It's very clear, the look shows the place it dry and begging for water.
The tomatillo plant looks so familiar with a grass we usually cut off in your farm. I need to make researches if they're the same so we don't cut them off and adopt them into food...which is going to take a long time of thought 😅
Yeah the lack of rains have had a stress on the plants for sure.
Oh okay, maybe they grow wild were you live. If they fruit maybe you can ID them that way.. Or by looking at their flower.
Looks like you've been really hard at work, especially given the weeather. What is in that barrel machine? Sounds like water is the most important thing given the hot spell everyone's been having. I had blossom end rot on my tomatoes for the firrst time this year. Hopefully this year will be better.
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Yep keeping busy in our garden. The barrels hold well water. I have around 165 gallons of water when they are all full. I then pump out the water and give it to my plants. Usually need to refill them every few days when we do not get any rain.
Oh okay, damn.. Well I am trying to add more calcium and magnesium. Hope that helps. Maybe that can help yours too.