Monday, October 16, 2006
Sunday, October 15, 2006
New to Square Foot Gardening
If you have never heard of Square Foot Gardening, basically it's a new home gardening method invented by a retired engineer. It's meant to a simplified way of gardening in a limited space. I was definitely intrigued by the idea the first time I flipped through the book from a book store's shelf and finished reading it in half a day.
(example of a square foot garden)
So today I finally made my first step in square foot gardening.
After some amendments to the soil, I started dividing one of my vegetable patches into square foot plots. To-do item is that I still to find better material to be the dividers. I temporarily used twines that are nailed on both ends to the edges of the vegetable box, but I just read from the Square Foot Gardening's website that wood laths or vinyl strips make better dividers.
I planted about ten broad beans into the first three squares. Alice and James gave me the beans. I planted them in early spring this past year and they seemed to do well with low maintenance. I also planted three square foots of Chinese cabbages. I did about 10 of them. Additionally, I planted one square foot of 16 radishes. I suspect that it's too crowded.
I found on the internet that most cities have a compost program and sells to their residents compost bins for lower prices. I found that I could get a home composter for $39 at stopwaste.org I think I'm going to order one. The idea of composting although kind of grosses me out.
(example of a square foot garden)
So today I finally made my first step in square foot gardening.
After some amendments to the soil, I started dividing one of my vegetable patches into square foot plots. To-do item is that I still to find better material to be the dividers. I temporarily used twines that are nailed on both ends to the edges of the vegetable box, but I just read from the Square Foot Gardening's website that wood laths or vinyl strips make better dividers.
I planted about ten broad beans into the first three squares. Alice and James gave me the beans. I planted them in early spring this past year and they seemed to do well with low maintenance. I also planted three square foots of Chinese cabbages. I did about 10 of them. Additionally, I planted one square foot of 16 radishes. I suspect that it's too crowded.
I found on the internet that most cities have a compost program and sells to their residents compost bins for lower prices. I found that I could get a home composter for $39 at stopwaste.org I think I'm going to order one. The idea of composting although kind of grosses me out.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Tulip Bulbs in the fridge now
I put the Tulip Bulbs in the fridge yeserday. In Northern California, winter is mild that it's recommended to leave bulbs in the fridge for 6-8 weeks before planting, because most bulbs need a dormant period of time. Last year, according to my journal, I planted them outside at the end of November. They did well in the spring, so I'll do the same this year.
Amaryllis and Plumbago
I planted two Amaryllis bulbs from kits bought at Lowes. ($3.65 Red Lion)
When wetting the soil, I put in too much water. (Instruction says 2+ cups of water.) So they are kind of sitting in water right now, but I hope the soil will dry up soon.
I also planted a plumbago near the sidewalk. That sidewalk belongs to the city and it needs to be cleaned up. I'm starting with plumbago. The one I planted a year ago grew wild in my backyard. I see plumbagos all over the ground next to the highways, so it must be quite a survivor. Just what I need for the sidewalk.
When wetting the soil, I put in too much water. (Instruction says 2+ cups of water.) So they are kind of sitting in water right now, but I hope the soil will dry up soon.
I also planted a plumbago near the sidewalk. That sidewalk belongs to the city and it needs to be cleaned up. I'm starting with plumbago. The one I planted a year ago grew wild in my backyard. I see plumbagos all over the ground next to the highways, so it must be quite a survivor. Just what I need for the sidewalk.
