A transplant and harvest and a rant

 Overcast still and cool so light jacket weather. Nothing needs watering of course so I decided to make a bold move and put one of the tomatoes in the raised bed.

So first thing I noticed was about where I tucked in that potato root from the bushes I pulled, a mushroom has appeared. Now it could just be coincidence because there are logs and other things down at the bottom of the bed that are likely having a fungus field day breaking down. I didn't know what it was so dug around and just turned it under. 

I put the tomatoes in the window and noticed they were looking a bit lighter green than before. They are in need of nutrients and the only liquid I have is calcium. Not good enough, they need a fertilizer 'tea' which I have to make myself from the dry food I have. 

I also noticed damage to one of them. You would think they being inside would be fairly safe but being in a window with a screen and the door opening and closing, things will get in.

There are a LOT of tiny hair roots all through the soil so it was interesting to dig. I dug deep enough to bury the seedling up to the leaf branches. I saw someone peel the covering off their pods so I did that, roots were definitely showing all around.  It's close enough to the trellis it will likely swallow it up. The peas will be done in a few weeks and then beans will (hopefully) go in at the other side of the trellis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also decided to pull a couple of bunches of cilantro to even up that line a bit. Still not sure about when the carrots will be coming up other than that one. I disturbed a seedling of some sort, hopefully not a carrot but since it was close to the cilantro it may have been one of those. I checked and the one suspect carrot seedling was still where I remember it. Those were planted in straight lines so not likely one drifted somewhere else.

 

The peas are grabbing on more or less and didn't need a lot of tucking in. I dug the cilantro up and then just twisted the whole bunch to get rid of the root balls and tossed that on the compost pile. Less dirt to bring in the house and go down the sink.

Getting concerned about the tomatoes though. Other plants had more roots showing than the one I planted.

(pause for research on taking the cover off the peat pots before planting)

And yes, you're supposed to peel the plastic 'netting' off before planting. I thought it was just plop them in and they'd grow out of it. I'm sure you can just slit it in three or four places if the roots are really growing through and it might damage them. 

Potting up tomatoes is on the schedule for this weekend it seems. 

What I think I'll do is take them down to the garden with some cups I saved out and use the planting mix I bought with a little dry fertlizer. That means they will need to stay outside as well so will just slip them into the plastic planter box that's been sitting unused.  They're pretty much 'hardened off' (hopefully), since I've been putting them in the window and they being hit with breezes and cold air and sun sporadically.  

Now for the rant. I joined the garden group on FB and when I suggested using epsom salts as a possible help for a situation I was almost immediately jumped on saying 'there's enough salts in San Diego soils and not to use it'

Okay ::facepalm:: Firstly, there is no SALT in epsom salts, it is Magnesium Sulfate I posted. Then two others said that the moderator and garden expert said herself not to use it because there's enough  magnesium in the soils. 

Making a blanket statement to not use something without backing it up with a reason is a major pet peeve for me. Someone else pointed out to look at previous posts about not using it and so on. Right, so just to say I did it, I looked and yes the person did say that we have too much magnesium in the soil and not to use it. That's like saying, 'there's a traffic jam don't get on the freeway'. Where? What freeway? What time? 

I did my research and read the previous posts where it was said to not use it and then wrote a lengthy reply about agreeing that if there's too much magnesium in the soil not to use it. But in order to determine that, you need to get a soil test. For some situations when it is an obvious sign of magnesium deficiency for palms and other tropicals is when adding it is called for. It was not the only thing I suggested using, my first was an acidic fertilizer because Callas like to be slightly acidic. But no, the first thing they saw was 'epsom salts' in the soil and everyone did a full stop. I also added I have 20+ years in the retail garden industry and have done a fair amount of research on my own. They can go look at my profile and see my work history there.

If they determine I am a 'troublemaker' and boot me out, so be it. Not the first time I've been canned from speaking my mind in the wrong place at the wrong time. 

So doing research, making sure you have the problem correctly identified and a correct solution to the problem is the key. Don't take an experts word for something when in fact, they could be as wrong as someone who has no idea what they're talking about. 

Rant over. Knowledge is power as long as it is not wielded like a club or taken as gospel.