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Post by woodeye on Jul 19, 2022 9:01:35 GMT -6
In spite of all the obstacles this year; bugs, heat, drought, I'm seeing a little bit of progress out in my backyard. Not easy going, but each squash that survives the torment of bugs and harsh weather is a welcomed sight once it makes it to my kitchen.
Took these photos this morning, they will make the transition to my kitchen in a day or 2 or 3...
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Post by heavyhitterokra on Jul 19, 2022 9:33:44 GMT -6
Beautiful! Thanks, for posting the photos.
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Post by hmoosek on Jul 19, 2022 10:20:58 GMT -6
Way to go! You know, I’m really digging those grow bags! They look slick as all get out! It sure beats me scrounging around to put something in.
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Post by woodeye on Jul 19, 2022 11:27:00 GMT -6
Way to go! You know, I’m really digging those grow bags! They look slick as all get out! It sure beats me scrounging around to put something in. I started using them in the backyard about 8 years ago I think. My little sister lives in Del City and she liked the way I was using them, so she started using them in her backyard. She has a garden every year now. Usually tomatoes, bell peppers, and cucumbers. She had never really gardened before in her life, but she's learned a lot in the past few years.
The soil mix is actually the biggest expense. For instance, the last 10-pak of 10 gallon bags cost about $30. So, $3 each and they should last 3 years, so only about $1 per year for each one. Just don't use the weedeater too close around them, I've done that and it's not pretty. Empty them and dry them out if necessary, then store them in the garage or barn for the winter. For me, they are an excellent investment.
I don't know the process, but the ones I use are made from recycled plastic water bottles somehow. It looks like they spin the plastic into fibers someway, it feels just like felt...
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Post by woodeye on Jul 29, 2022 14:07:51 GMT -6
High winds yesterday did not help matters, but the rain was a welcomed sight. I had some of the taller plants tied up, it had worked fine until yesterday. Not sure if they will recover, only time will tell...
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Post by hmoosek on Jul 29, 2022 14:31:07 GMT -6
The wind got me earlier in the growing season. Blew my pots right off the porch. I lost several tomatoes. I might have to get out the cane syrup next year and stick them to the porch. Hahaha. Cane syrup sticks to most anything ! Hahahaaa
Seriously though, I do have to develop a way to keep them in place. Been studying on it some, but not exactly sure what direction I want to go.
The grow bags are a better solution than what I’m doing with planters and buckets. The five gallon Walmart buckets have 0 uv resistance. I noticed my bean buckets have already started deteriorating and it’s just been a season and a half.
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Post by woodeye on Jul 29, 2022 14:42:21 GMT -6
I hadn't thought about using cane syrup for that, and I have a can of Steen's cane syrup that would be super sticky.
I used 5 gallon buckets for drip watering tomatoes in the garden and I saved the buckets. Stacked them all together, but left them out in the pasture for a year or 2, and I knew better than to do that, but did it anyway. Went to pick them up and bring them to the house, & all 12 bucket bails is all I picked up. The deteriorated bucket pieces stayed on the ground...Longevity NOT...
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Post by heavyhitterokra on Jul 29, 2022 15:14:37 GMT -6
Have you guys ever used any of those 250-pound mineral lick tubs that cattle supplement comes in?
They sell them at the Tahlequah Farmers' Co-op for $4.00 each (Empty). I guess they refund the ranchers a deposit fee when they return them? Who knows? But they usually have a couple dozen of them laying around out back. They hold about 25 gallons of water. I use them under the eve of my barn to catch rainwater to use for my chickens and rabbits. I also use them to pot up tomato plants and to grow potatoes. They make great composting bins too. They are usually black in color and will last for several years. They are about an eighth of an inch thick plastic and are fairly heavy-duty. Some of them are very heavy-duty. It all depends on the manufacturer.
I've had a little decomposition occur on the red-colored ones and the yellow ones, but the black ones show no sign of decomposition at all over several years of use. I've had some of them since 2010 and they are still in use.
This is what they look like when they are still full of cattle supplements: www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/200-lb-24-protein-tub
Some of the ranchers around here are just glad when I offer to haul them off, so a few of mine were free. I have a blue healer stock dog that loves bathing in one of the tubs. When it's hot outside, you'll find him curled up in a tub full of cool water that I keep on the North side of the barn.
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Post by woodeye on Jul 29, 2022 15:21:31 GMT -6
I have used one of them, in fact that's all I ever had of them.
I did not know that they were ever sold empty though. I'll check into that, and Thank you for letting me know...
Looked through photos, found this one from 2008, had one stalk of okra in one of those tubs... (p.s. It is NOT Heavy Hitter Okra)
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Post by heavyhitterokra on Jul 29, 2022 15:28:50 GMT -6
One year, I put bamboo poles in one of those mineral tubs and grew pole beans up to the eve of our house. I built a 4-wheel dolly under one of the tubs and attached a 1/2" inch pull rope to it so I can pull my plants in and out of the shop when it's cold outside. I have one of them with a 5' foot tomato cage in it that I used to grow a 'pet' tomato under the eve of the house. They're handy to have around.
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Post by woodeye on Jul 29, 2022 15:34:38 GMT -6
That is a great idea! Oh boy, I'm sure glad you mentioned using those because the other day, bon was writing about using her clothesline for bean poles to tie up to. Well, I could use these big tubs for a different variety of pole beans than I have down at the garden, and use my clothesline for support. No chance of cross pollination that way. Thanks for the idea!
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Post by hmoosek on Jul 29, 2022 16:15:08 GMT -6
heavyhitterokraHad no idea they were sold empty. I’ll look into this. Thank you!!!
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Post by woodeye on Jul 30, 2022 6:52:46 GMT -6
bon, there are a few of the plants that are still beat down, but some are upright now. They don't know it, but I'm taking notes on which ones weathered the storms the best. I'm still picking a few squash each day, so I can't complain too much I guess. I can't help myself, I'm a summer squash addict. I got all the tree limbs out of the area yesterday, it doesn't look quite as much like a disaster area out there now. I haven't had any squash bugs other than the one adult that I found on June 28. So either I just had a lucky growing season and missed the squash bugs, or the white icicle radishes kept them away. Either reason is fine with me.
I'm glad you are getting enough squash for a pie. I planted some tromboncino, but they didn't come up until July 4, it's been a slow-go and are just now starting to grow pretty good. Not sure if they'll have time to produce much, I've never grown them before. It may depend on when our first frost is, just have to wait and see.
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Post by woodeye on Jul 30, 2022 8:31:09 GMT -6
This is the 20 gallon grow bag that has the tromboncino in it. About 10 days ago I decided that it wasn't going to do anything, it looked bad, so I planted a couple of squash in with it. Well now everything is growing good, so it's a crowd. The tromboncino is on the left side, I saw the first tendrils on it this morning. I will keep watch on it, I may have to thin some of the other plants out...
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Post by hmoosek on Jul 30, 2022 11:58:58 GMT -6
Looking good!
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