how to grow a garden

ValleyGal · Jun 28, 2015

I live in a strata where all property is shared except our private patios. This is where I have my little "garden." I've never grown a garden before, but decided to try the year before last. I was very successful with tasty tomatoes and chives. Since that was so successful, I decided that in addition to tomatoes and chives, last year I added peppers, and nothing grew. I had bell peppers the size of a neatly folded kleenex. I figured I'd try one more year and if I fail this year, I will admit defeat and give away all my planters. This year, I'm growing romaine, head lettuce, 3 kind of peppers, cocktail tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, chives and mint.

The heat this year is unbearable. Usually these veggies would thrive where I live, but:
- romaine looks more like a brussel sprout stalk
- head lettuce curling, but not very well. Looks quite deformed
- cucumber still looks like a furry caterpillar
- cocktail tomatoes look more like cherry tomatoes and have very thick skin, but tasty
- onions and chives live!
- bell peppers looking pretty sorry to be alive, but chili peppers are quite happy in the heat

I water them all well after the sun sets, but by mid-day they are all quite wilted. I water them again when I get home from work, and they are again wilted by sundown. I fertilize them every two weeks.

How are other's gardens surviving the summer? What are you doing to care for them and make them grow? How can I improve my plants' survivability?

Goodbook · Jun 28, 2015

Hmm well its winter here so Im protecting my plants from frosts...
I would say in summer since your plants are in pots..yes they will get very thirsty, tomatoes peppers etc are gross feeders so..you need to have the biggest planters you can for them.

A tip i learned is bury a terracotta pot or those clay gourd things under the soil with just the lip showing at the top and fill that with water so it can drip feed your plants at the roots.
You could also use water crystals i think one is called saturaid, to conserve mositure and mulch. Dont forget to mulch the soil to stop from drying out.

Your alliums..chives and onions doing well since they are bulbs and thus have protective layers from the heat. You could grow garlic as well if you like them but needs to be planted in winter.

Goodbook · Jun 28, 2015

Herbs will like the dryness, and do well in pots so if you looking for different plants try herbs.
Try parsely, aloe vera, rosemary, lavender, sage, thyme and oregano.

ValleyGal · Jun 28, 2015

I wonder if it's too late to start some herbs. I'd like the oregano, thyme, save, parsley, dill, etc.

BFine · Jun 28, 2015

ValleyGal said:
I wonder if it's too late to start some herbs. I'd like the oregano, thyme, save, parsley, dill, etc.

*https://wcs-netclimberwebdes.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Charts_Herb_BC.pdf

BFine · Jun 28, 2015

ValleyGal I want some chives!

My rosemary, mint and lemon tree are
doing good...my flowers in planters are
struggling in the heat but I'm hopeful
since there's overcast and we got a bit
of rain a few minutes ago...just a sprinkling
though, we hope more will come because
the Chilliwack corn could use it.

ValleyGal · Jun 28, 2015

Mmmmm. Corn from the Chili Bowl! Yes, for sure corn could use water, but I think most farmers have a sprinkler system backup to save the crops. At least I hope so!

My mint is doing well too. It's planted between my cucumber vines, and when I came home a few minutes ago, I saw more blossoms for cukes!

I would give you some chives and tomatoes, but they are really suffering this year. I have more onions than I can use, if you would like - I have six and probably will only use two. I have 4 tomatoes the size of cherry tomatoes now, but there are probably 20 very green ones on the vine. My patio is very small, so I don't have much, but will certainly share what I do have. I could give you my chives - mine are an offshoot of my friend's, and hers grow like weeds. I'm sure I can get more from her.

Thanks for the link. I'll go look at it now.

BFine · Jun 28, 2015

We could meet at HOJ... I love living in
farm country!

My patio is small too... I'll be getting a couple
more planters and growing more mint...I love
fresh mint tea.
I tried to do strawberries in a hanging basket
but they didn't make it...Have you tried that?

BFine · Jun 28, 2015

I'm close to farming...right across the road
from a big farm...the corns looking good but
it needs some rain on it...no sprinkler system
on that farm...none that I've seen in the 6
years we have lived here.

ValleyGal · Jun 28, 2015

I grew up on a farm and we had a garden, but I was not responsible for it. I weeded and picked, but mostly worked in the orchards and doing preserves. I grew up with fresh fruit and vegetables off the tree/vine/bush, but never grew it myself until I tried on my patio here. I have not tried berries yet. I love blackberries best, so I think next year I will not grow lettuce, but try blackberries instead - even though I could just go to the river and pick wild ones. I'd also like to try herbs - what a helpful link you provided, so thank you.

Growing up, I loved living on the farm, but now I live in town and rather like being within walking distance of almost everything. If anything were to happen and we were unable to drive, we live half a block from a bus stop, so it's convenient. We like where we live. I grew up in a different valley, and when I moved here, I knew I was "home." I love this valley even if it smell like the farm. lol. I go to Abby every month or so to visit a woman at the prison.

Chicken Little · Jun 28, 2015

ValleyGal said:
I live in a strata where all property is shared except our private patios. This is where I have my little "garden." I've never grown a garden before, but decided to try the year before last. I was very successful with tasty tomatoes and chives. Since that was so successful, I decided that in addition to tomatoes and chives, last year I added peppers, and nothing grew. I had bell peppers the size of a neatly folded kleenex. I figured I'd try one more year and if I fail this year, I will admit defeat and give away all my planters. This year, I'm growing romaine, head lettuce, 3 kind of peppers, cocktail tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, chives and mint.

The heat this year is unbearable. Usually these veggies would thrive where I live, but:
- romaine looks more like a brussel sprout stalk
- head lettuce curling, but not very well. Looks quite deformed
- cucumber still looks like a furry caterpillar
- cocktail tomatoes look more like cherry tomatoes and have very thick skin, but tasty
- onions and chives live!
- bell peppers looking pretty sorry to be alive, but chili peppers are quite happy in the heat

I water them all well after the sun sets, but by mid-day they are all quite wilted. I water them again when I get home from work, and they are again wilted by sundown. I fertilize them every two weeks.

How are other's gardens surviving the summer? What are you doing to care for them and make them grow? How can I improve my plants' survivability?

maybe you need wood chips to help cool the earth they are in and retain more moisture. the mixed compost and wood chips on top will also break down in the pot to fertilize the plants and they will need less water and get more nutrients. because you will be putting less water to wash away the nutrients. and maybe shade the pots themselves a little in the heat of the day IF they are getting a lot direct sun on the pots .
maybe some fish waste tea from the filters from a neighbors aquarium is a great way too water gardens also .
most people are glad to give them to you.
I have a very cool garden in 55 gallon half buckets that is sand on the bottom and wood chips on top and I have loads of green veggies in these . right now I am all into collecting the giant perennial kales and cabbages. they are soo cool.
I also eat boat loads of sweet potato greens and some of their relatives. and I grow tons of Egyptian walking onions in my aquaponics system. we eat a lot of onions and those love water. I also have lots of other odd greens like ( ONG CHOY a relative of sweet potato, caucasian spinach and malabar spinach ) .
have you seen the grow towers I built a few of these for my families who live in town. it is alot of work but it a good idea for small spaces .

and you can check into the kraktky method is nice for small spaces also.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=kratky+method+hydroponics
is really simple and you can grow boat loads of food in tiny spaces.

BFine · Jun 28, 2015

I have seen/read about vertical gardening...
I would love to do that but unfortunately we
are strapped for cash due to the strata lawsuit,
and I had to fly to North Carolina twice within
a month's time... so I can't do the vertical gardening thingy yet... now if our house sells
soon, that would improve our current situation.

ValleyGal · Jun 28, 2015

That's quite a fancy planter! I love the idea of a grow tower, so if I end up enjoying gardening and it is worth it in grocery savings, I might consider one of those. As it is, I am only using cheap plastic bins with rocks in the bottom and holes punched in the bottom. I love the idea of using wood chips, and I think I'll go and get some on the weekend to protect my plants. Next weekend is supposed to get in the upper 30's C, so they will need extra attention. I really appreciate that advice, for sure! And I love the idea of recycled fish water. I'll ask around the neighbours and see if anyone has fish. One friend said to eat oranges and use the rind to lay in the plant beds, so we will be eating oranges this week, too. Evidently that nourishes the plants but also keeps bugs away.

Keep the advice coming! I'm determined to learn how to grow stuff!

Goodbook · Jun 29, 2015

strawberries are good plants to have in grow towers and pots on the patio, plus, they like the heat and sun.
blackberries..they are brambles and got thorns so prolly not the best plants to have on a patio.
You can also grow tomatoes upside down..have you seen that?

Chicken Little · Jun 29, 2015

for lettuce the Kratky method is so easy. getting the solution to grow things is kind of expensive but there is youtubes on how to make your own solutions. plus in my aquaponics system I have what I call the sump , I put all sort of plant material roots etc from the foods we eat and meat and this grows scuds and another grows crayfish and also baby fish till they get big enough to fend for themselves with the adult fish . but crayfish water / scud water / and strained aerated sumps waters can be used for a kratky system also and back it up with some bought pour in stuff if the plants look weak . doing crayfish or even just scuds in a little system where you put garbage they can eat. you have to use a aerator for it if you have scuds or crays. might be a good goal to learn also too because it is just water and very portable and your not hauling tons of dirt through you house and it grows little bits of protein and the greens from your kitchen waist , if you are doing cray fish . some parts of the world have some huge fresh water crays that will work great. you can use some of their water for a kratky buckets or floating raft system . I hope that helps. Man food is so expensive I just flip out every time I have to go to the store.

HannahElizaW · Jun 29, 2015

ValleyGal said:
How are other's gardens surviving the summer? What are you doing to care for them and make them grow? How can I improve my plants' survivability?

Well...Iive in Southern USA where it is pretty hot but...I have a 12x60 feet garden haha. My peppermint is totally fine, with the exception of one or two browning leaves...some of my cherry tomatoes died...my cucumbers died... my green beans are ready to sprout up the vine.... I have a lot of vegetables though so.. mm...

What we do is water during the afternoon and let 'em rest the rest of the day...in hotter days I'd recommend watrring lightly in the late morning and then watering heavily in the mid to late afternoon (anywhere between 1-4).

When you water your plants, aim at the roots, don't throw it over the top, especially in hot weather.

We use s7venduest, I believe, for fertilizer... I think... it might be our "bug-off" kind of thing... oh forgive me..

bluegreysky · Jun 29, 2015

I live in coastal north Florida where it gets really really hot and humid in the summer. On average, the temps soar into the upper 90's and 100 in the hot sun if you're on the land 1000's of feet from the ocean. Our garden plot is in a community garden surrounded by oak trees and brush and most of the day it's in the hot sun. Then for awhile it's in the shade. most of the tomatoes have been thriving. So has our rosemary and orgegano bushes, chives, our sunflowers and our kales. The lettuces and chards had to be removed because once it got humid they were getting destroyed by snails and bugs. community rules: organic only. No chemicals allowed. Some of the metods work but some dont. So those things were getting eaten up. I brought them home along with some basils that were turning yellow and some nausturtiums that were shriveling in the sun and those things are all thriving on my shady balcony. My balcony, which never gets direct sun because it faces a pine forest, has been my rehab center for the plants.
Peppers do well in the spring or fall but died in the january freezes.
collards died when it got hot, so did snap peas. I planted them too late.
Mint will take over your whole box becuase it shoots runner roots under ground in every direction. don't plant mint if you don't want it to overtake everything and you don't want to have to pull it out every 5 minutes.
oregano will spread out wide too but not quite the same way.
The best thing for your garden in the nasty summer heat if you don't want to maintenance it all the time is a sweet potato vine.
Here, they wind up in the garden on their own and try to take over.
you can train them up a lattuce and the one on my balcony takes over the whole railing every summer and thru the fall.
If you don't have alot of time on your hands, let the vines cover everything that is dead or any bare patches and start over in the fall.
When you pull out the vines, you will find real sweet potatoes you can eat.

BFine · Jun 29, 2015

Goodbook:

I saw the upside down growing tomatoes
like 7 or 8 years ago when we were on vacation
in Orlando, Fl... it was at the Kennedy Space
Center, they had all sorts of veggies growing
vertically, upside down etc. It was very interesting-- I only wished we had more time
to enjoy the center...

ValleyGal · Jun 29, 2015

The dollar store had some of those upside-down hangers so I bought a couple only to find that I have nowhere I am able to hang them. I thought there was a little wood along the edges of the upstairs balcony (my patio cover), but it turned out to be aluminum, so I could not use them. I gave them away in the springtime. I am thinking of getting an over-the-door shoe storage and using it for herbs next year. I could hang it on my storage room door.

faroukfarouk · Jul 3, 2015

bluegreysky said:
I live in coastal north Florida where it gets really really hot and humid in the summer. On average, the temps soar into the upper 90's and 100 in the hot sun if you're on the land 1000's of feet from the ocean. Our garden plot is in a community garden surrounded by oak trees and brush and most of the day it's in the hot sun. Then for awhile it's in the shade. most of the tomatoes have been thriving. So has our rosemary and orgegano bushes, chives, our sunflowers and our kales. The lettuces and chards had to be removed because once it got humid they were getting destroyed by snails and bugs. community rules: organic only. No chemicals allowed. Some of the metods work but some dont. So those things were getting eaten up. I brought them home along with some basils that were turning yellow and some nausturtiums that were shriveling in the sun and those things are all thriving on my shady balcony. My balcony, which never gets direct sun because it faces a pine forest, has been my rehab center for the plants.
Peppers do well in the spring or fall but died in the january freezes.
collards died when it got hot, so did snap peas. I planted them too late.
Mint will take over your whole box becuase it shoots runner roots under ground in every direction. don't plant mint if you don't want it to overtake everything and you don't want to have to pull it out every 5 minutes.
oregano will spread out wide too but not quite the same way.
The best thing for your garden in the nasty summer heat if you don't want to maintenance it all the time is a sweet potato vine.
Here, they wind up in the garden on their own and try to take over.
you can train them up a lattuce and the one on my balcony takes over the whole railing every summer and thru the fall.
If you don't have alot of time on your hands, let the vines cover everything that is dead or any bare patches and start over in the fall.
When you pull out the vines, you will find real sweet potatoes you can eat.

Kind of tropical down there, right? I reckon stuff grows fast.

how to grow a garden

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