An update on the broccoli

In a few more weeks, the current growing cycle will be complete for at least 1 of the broccoli plants. It has performed excellent in the homemade self-watering planter made from 2 cat litter buckets (4 gallon). I knew it would, but still had to provide evidence to the Universities for my proverbial future publication. I'll probably do cabbage in a couple starting in February, and various tomatoes in April. I like growing in these containers, even more so than the large ones. Cleanup is easy, and they provide excellent growing conditions.

Photo below - A quick peak into the center of the plant revealed florets, which will reach maturity in 2-3 weeks. I certainly hope the heads turn out to be pretty large, because all previous attempts at growing broccoli have been less than ideal. One thing's for certain, though....my climate is ideal for growing broccoli in the fall, and cabbage in the spring. To do it any other way is not advisable - unless using some kind of season-extending methods.

Photo below - while taking photos of the other stuff, I decided to show how the onions were doing. I know....pretty boring. heh. There's nothing exciting about onions, that's for sure. Some could definitely be eaten now, but i'll just wait to see if large bulbs form later.

Photo below - This little onion planting could provide some excitement later, because it's granex hybrid from seed. As previously discussed, "Granex" is the origin of sweet onions - especially "Vidalia". Boy, i'd love to get some large bulbs from these babies.....

I'll try to get a few shots of the compost happenings before the holday hits. Boy, i'm planning on doing alot during that long weekend.......especially on the shed.

Take care, and happy gardening.

EG

A day of composting

Today was spent transporting leaves from the big pile out front to one of the new compost bins. I layered it (at least 20 layers) with shredded leaves, dry dog food, and grass clippings. I use a watering can to add moisture to the pile as I go - it's alot of work, but works very well. The dog food was given to me by a friend, and is an excellent source of nitrogen. Only thing is - Jude pretty much gets in the way the entire time (as can be expected).

Gosh I have alot of leaves......I'm sick of seeing leaves right now. But - it takes alot, ya know? As of today, I have got 2 of the 6 bins completely filled - packed even. Perhaps my gathering of grass clippings throughout the summer was a little too much, because there's no way i'll use them all this year. Oh well.....i'll be able to cook another batch next summer, I guess.

I had even thought about selling some of my finished compost next year - but in reality, it's not worth much on the market. I guess I can barter with it, though. Bartering is good! Finished compost is priceless, when getting a garden ready for the spring.

Well, I guess that's it for now. It's really late!

Take care, and happy gardening.

EG

Thanks, Kalena Michele

'Tis the season for giving, and I have been given an award from Kalena Michele. Thanks!

I haven't been blogging lately - because I just haven't been myself. Although I'm mostly over my recent bout with the flu, a big case of the "blahs" still lingers. Nothing tastes good, I don't have any motivation about me, and I haven't done anything outside in a week. That's pretty messed up, ain't it? I'll put a big dent in that pile of leaves this weekend, though. It's just gotta happen. I know Jude will be glad to see the weekend come, because playing with her in the dark ain't too much fun. Still, I make it a point to let her out every morning, and night - even if it's only for about 30 minutes each time.

It's really weird that we haven't had a killing frost yet. It's already 4 weeks past due, but the broccoli sure does like the weather - let me tell ya. One of the plants is huge, and florets are beginning to form. And...no bugs....at all. Now that's really weird!

I may take some photos this weekend, but honestly don't know what they'll be of. There's nothing new, just lots of leaves and such. I'll be glad when "normalcy" returns.

EG

Current growth status of the broccoli in swc's

Update on my sickness - The fever has finally left me, but I am far from being well. My biggest issue right now is shortness of breath, which might require breathing treatments to correct. Even climbing the stairs in our home causes me to gasp for air, and I breathe heavily for several minutes thereafter. I filled Jude's food and water dish yesterday, and felt that I had ran a marathon afterwards. This is one bad illness, let me tell ya.

The other day, I told you that I had built another swc from 1 gallon buckets, and wanted to see if the size container was adequate for the plant. Common sense tells me that it will never work, but I like tinkering with stuff. Who knows? It may work just fine.....Anyway, the plants are doing very well, and appreciate the abundance of sunshine we've been experiencing lately. The little greenhouse will be used to get them through the winter, if needed. These photos were taken before I got sick....

Photo below - with just a few more finishing touches to the roof and eaves, the vinyl siding will be next. I'll probably hold off until the massive pile of leaves is completely moved from the front yard. Besides, I need to get that big batch of compost started quick!

Photo below - the buckets for the workshop continue to come in, and the WalMart in another town is really coming though for me. Much better than my hometown store....

I'm confident that the number of buckets accumulated by next spring will be enough for a workshop at 3 different counties. That's great news, and I know that everyone will enjoy it.

In other news, I will probably construct an actual walk-in greenhouse. It won't replace the small 4x4 I'm working on, but will be for my wife. I had expressed an interest for propagating perrenials to sell to the public, and she stated that if I built a greenhouse - she'd help. This was a no-brainer! It will be constructed sometime next year. She has decided to become a SAHM, and will hopefully enjoy spending time helping me propagate all kinds of plants - especially japanese maple trees and heirloom tomatoes. That's great news!

Take care, and happy gardening!

EG

Be careful what you ask for

When I found out that the city street dept. would bring me a load of shredded leaves, of course I was ecstatic! Last year, I worked my butt off raking the leaves from our yard - then transporting them to the composting system out back. My back really felt it, just from the raking part. Well, the dept. supervisor warned me that a load of leaves was alot, but hey - it takes alot!


While waiting for the load to arrive, I decided to get started on the new pallet bins. I came up with a different design for this setup, because it would need to be pretty sturdy. Extra strength would be needed since the piles will be turned mechanically later. The only problem with this construction, was that all of the pallets were different sizes. This wasn't good, and I really had to add alot of lumber to make them pretty much the same. I'll most likely do the ones on the left the same way, as soon as the contents are removed later.

Photo below - This load of leaves was so big, that I had to have them dumped in my parent's front yard. Holy moly.........I may need to build more bins. I learned something from this ordeal - when someone pulls into your driveway, and asks what you're planning to do with all those leaves - you have got ALOT of leaves. As soon as I'm well, everyone of them will be relocated with the use of my wheelbarrow. Yeah....like 2,000 loads or something.....Hehe

Oh well, at least they're already shredded, and i'll be able to make enough compost to fill the deeper garden next spring. I'm a big time composter, now!

For now, all I can do is stare at the big pile - because even a simple trip to the mailbox causes me to cough uncontrollably. I think I'm on the road to recovery, though.

Take care, and happy composting.

EG

Same problem, more meds

I went back to the doctor this morning, and they performed another flu test with still no indication of what's wrong. My current temperature is 102.8, and they prescribed meds for the flu this time. This sucks - even my scalp is sore. Getting well before Monday looks impossible right now. Thanks to everyone's concern about my health. I'll be back to my old self eventually.

EG

Back to the doctor tomorrow

My wife seems to be doing well with the virus, but I'm not so fortunate. I checked my temperature this morning at 99, and thought things were looking up for me too. I took a nap for a couple of hours this evening, and awoke to a shivering, cold, wet sweat. After checking my temperature, it was indicated at 102.5. Dangit, looks like another trip to the doctor in the morning....

EG