(Stupid phone, I cropped both of them and saved it to my drive but it isn't showing up.) Almost the same time of day and only getting warmer for the remainder of the week. Left picture is today, right picture is yesterday. I am very thankful I do not live anywhere else in the 'sunbelt'. As I've said before, if I had the money we would be living way further north. It's only going to get worse all over the world folks. This is the climate disaster we've been warned about for decades.
Meanwhile, back in the garden...
I did get out last night to check on things but only covered up the cucumbers (which are looking fantastic by the way). I did water this morning and used the flat spray in the north bed to only water the zinnias. Watered the cukes and splashed some on the south bed. I had a hunch and checked the smaller bush in that bed and sure enough...
The north and south beds both have native soil mixed in with the garden soil making it hold water longer. THAT is the difference from the raised bed. So I am only going to be splashing lightly and may even do another calcium watering on those two bushes.
According to the directions on the bottle don't use it as a foliar spray under heat stress. Right... not gonna do that. 7-10 days between applications. For tomatoes, peppers etc. 1-6 teaspoons per gallon (here's some math for you) 4-12 times during fruit development at 1 week intervals. So it looks like I can use it once a week on those beds applied to the ground only.
Directions are so funky sometimes, 'one week intervals' is the same as 'every 7 days'. I had to look back but I did that last application about 6 days ago so picking an arbitrary day, will be doing it every Wednesday on those two beds with the higher concentration and won't be watering them as often. No matter what the soil looks like on the surface. The zinnias will be the only things getting water regularly since they're smaller. Speaking of those I thinned out one of the plants that was too close to another but they are all growing nicely and hope that the brutal heat this week doesn't cook them. I don't have the ability to make a sunshade for any of them.
Speaking of shade, the other difference in the south bed is it gets shade halfway through the day on the backside so that is also a moisture saver with the heavier soil. Can only imagine if I could build those two beds up using a retaining board or some sort. Just 12 inches would make all the difference in the world adding that much more depth and good soil. The north bed has the chicken wire under it but the south bed I would add a layer in like I did with the other bed. Hmmmm.
Still stinking proud of what I've done with this garden. Not too much diversity but it's a start. Wasn't expecting all the tomatoes to do so well and will plan accordingly next time. Adding a box frame on the north bed doesn't seem like it would be that difficult. As soon as it cools down in the winter I might proposition Layla (if I see her) to use the remaining chicken wire on one of her beds.
Trying to be kind and generous but it's difficult when you are poor yourself and trying to scrape and save as much as possible for yourself. We all want to succeed and be proud of our accomplishments on our own and at the same time help others to feel the same way.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Questions? Comments, Concerns...