Taking some inspiration from some other financial bloggers, it’s time to re-visit some goals for 2011 I wrote down earlier this year as part of a writing challenge thrown down by First Gen American.
The theme was to write these goals using 5 S’s. Mine were related to gardening:
“Five S’s for the 2011 Spring Garden”
First resolution was Seeds and Seedlings. Basically, start enough plants from seeds instead of purchasing plants from big box stores, and get them going early in a germinating station and an outside cold frame. I’ll give me a score of 75% on this one. Yes on indoor germinating, yes on not buying plant, not so good on the cold frame. In my defense, I realized I don’t really have room in the back yard for cold frames. I have however figured out how to make the Walls O Water work better, and also used deep mulching to keep some tomato plants warm. Also started on a hoop house, which will double as a shade house this summer to keep the greens cool without bolting (may not work), and extend the season into the fall.
Hardening off seedlings - the plastic boxes offer wind protection
The Walls-O-Water in action - lemon balm in the foreground
Second: Soil. Miserable failure on this intention to get the soil in the beds professionally tested before planting. I did though do quite a bit of amending with semi finished compost and worm castings.
Third: Sheet Composting. Change of direction on this one, sort of. The discovery of areas of rotted hay and old manure in the pastures from cattle feeding areas provided plenty of soil materials for the three raised beds I built at Terra Farms. No need to sheet compost.
I’m experimenting instead with a compost tower. It’s a six-foot tall wire cage full of organic materials. I’m going to plant tomatoes all around, on the theory that the nutrients leaching into the soil as the pile decomposes anaerobically will feed the plants, even as the cage supports them. I’ll post a photo at the next opportunity.
Fourth: Staking. Using cattle panels instead of a mish-mash of bamboo and 1×2’s to stake and trellis climbing and vining plants. Still on track.
Fifth: Sprinklers. Installing drip irrigation in the beds is still in progress. I’ve got some more fittings and hoses to lay.
Bonus resolution: Sweet Alyssium and Stonecrop and other flowers. Planting more flowers in the vegetable beds is still in progress.
Forget Me Nots seem to be doing well
Just the hoops - no need for plastic sheeting now that temps have warmed up
Other assorted goals of planting 10 flower trees and having a big melon patch are a little more ambitious, and may be be overtaken by events and other impromptu needs, like having to plant 10 bags of seed potatoes right quick. (I couldn’t resist, they were on sale today at Lowe’s for 75% off). That’s OK, these are only self-imposed goals.
When it comes to gardening I’m a newbie! I always enjoy your posts on gardening 101c!
Moneycone recently posted..Buffett Is Bullish On India- So Should You!
Hi MC, thanks for visiting. What are your plans for this spring?
I do want to try my hand at gardening. I still remember your book suggestions from another post!
MoneyCone recently posted..How To Invest In India
I agree with MC I truly enjoy these posts and can’t wait to get back to Florida to try my hand at gardening.
-Ravi Gupta
Ravi Gupta recently posted..March 2011 Net Worth 10-59572 1326
I too am a noob, I just started some seedlings. We are planning on the construction of our raised beds soon, that is, if it would stop snowing.
I enjoy reading your gardening posts too, I am trying to at least change into a gray/brown thumb rather than the bringer of death black thumb I have.
Hi Niki, thanks for visiting, and good luck on the raised beds. As long as you have good soil, and compost and mulch, and leave it alone (don’t till it), it makes for a good start.
Our ground is still frozen here.
Sorry to hear about that, Sandy. Perhaps Babci still have some plants that overwintered?
Looks great 101C! It’s hard to get out there in the garden when it’s cold.
Can’t you just put plastic sheeting over the tubes for a rudiment cold frame?
retirebyforty recently posted..Book Review- Generational Wealth
Well, yes, you can. I updated the caption to show that the sheeting isn’t on. It’s 75-80 degrees this week (sorry), so the covering isn’t necessary.
Wow, that’s perfect weather. It’s still under 60 degree up here in Oregon, but the farmers are already selling a bunch of produce at the market.
The weather has been great here after a stretch of heavy rain. Your garden looks great! I miss my square foot garden. But this year without any space, it is going be a very small indoor garden. I have got a bunch of herbs started and some tomatoes from my last year seeds for our friends. Hopefully, next year I can do more. In the mean while, I will enjoy your garden. I love these garden posts.
Suba @ Wealth Informatics recently posted..How to make a budget and stick to it
It was snowing a few days ago where I live (it didn’t stick though).
That said, it will be much warmer this Sunday. I’m going easy this year and starting by just planting pumpkins (I know lame huh).
Money Reasons recently posted..Is Buy And Hold Investing Dead
Nothing lame about pumpkins. I’ve tried growing them for a couple years now, with no luck – thanks for evil squash vine borers. Will try again this year.
You’re doing great! My seedlings are all doing very well but I have to harden a few of them up. I don’t have a cold box but I made my own little greenhouse box and will transport that outside. I just finished turning some compost into my boxes, moved some strawberries and need to go back and chickenwire everything (from the dog) and install some latticework. I came inside for a break and bumped into this article! Good stuff!
Sandy @ yesiamcheap recently posted..Why You Should Invest and Not Pay Off Your Mortgage Early
Hi Sandy, sounds like you’re getting plenty busy too. I think I’ve started too many seedlings (again), and now I’ve got to give them away. There’s only so many purple ruffled basil plants we can plant.
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Agh – I’m already behind the 8 ball. Spring pops up on us so quickly, I’ve gotta get planting! Thanks for the tips; I love doing this with our kids, they get a kick out of our little garden.
Darwin’s Money recently posted..150 Bonus – New Chase Visa Freedom Card Crazy!
Problem solved with an eight-ball zucchini. They grow like gangbusters. Our little one wants a raised bed of his own this year, and of course, he’ll get his wish.
[...] 101 Centavos shares an honest assessment of the progress on his goals for 2011. I loved this post because it makes me yearn to work in my own garden. However, that has to wait a lit bit longer here in Michigan than it does where 101 resides. [...]
a gardening carnival – July 27, 2011…
Welcome to the July 27, 2011 edition of a gardening carnival. gardening Annie Oliverio presents Homemade Dirt posted at Dough, Dirt & Dye. Susovan Saha presents Garden Maintenance Tools- Make Gardening a Fun posted at Gardening For All, saying, ……