In the South-facing front are about 10 tomato plants from Home Cheapo which were planted about mid May, which was too early (fooled by a short heat wave) but survived, thank God. These are about 12 inches apart average.
Then along the West-facing side are more tomato plants and Butternut Squash (which last over 6 months in about 60 degree storage) that were grown from seed inside, using plastic cups and garden soil with some potting soil mixed in. Grow lights assisted some.
I later found quite a few healthy tomato plants growing that i did not plant, but were growing from some tomatoes that fell to the ground last year!
There are some cukes growing along the building with some cheap bird netting, but a neighbor gave me the seeds (started in cups) and rushed me into planting them too early, and they are not doing well (soil PH may be too acidic)
Then a next door neighbor had a elevated section above a wall that was only growing weeds, so more plants went in that very rocky soil, but the wall helps retain heat, good for the "early" (May) spring.
I used some cheap screen to make a homemade screen to screen some of the rocky (out more prolific "crop") NE soil, which i used as a base for plants, putting some water in the hole after the soil, and then covering the plant with the silky screened soil along with some water.
Some bagged cow manure, sphagnum moss, garden soil, lime and fertilizer s has been added to the soil, thank God.
Also made some homemade cages using cheap wood and coat hangers.
In addition, a neighbor gave me some old barrels which are being used for compost for next year.
These plants are mostly watered with rain water coming off the roof in the back, using a tarp system since there is no gutter, and placed in 64 gallon barrels. Two nights ago a much-needed early fast-moving AM storm provided over 150 gallons, thanks be to God (answered prayer), since rain has been sparse, and high temps are predicted and no rain for the next week.
We had some old vitamins someone gave us which i add to the water, along with some Miracle Gro, and the fish oil capsules provide an oil film which helps keep the mosquitoes from breeding (the smell may help!), though i end up covering the barrels also.
The only pest we have had to deal with are the rats and squirrels, but they both have been much reduced via rat poison and working with neighbors. Later in the season the squash develops leaf mold, but does not seem to affect the harvest much.
To God be the glory for it all(!), and which we pray will be to His glory, by whose grace were were able to do this, and which provides superior produce and which can be shared, showing the love and grace of God! Last year with a smaller crop i estimate about 700 tomatoes were harvested. A warmer than normal November enabled harvesting up to the end of that month. Praise the Lord.
Here are some pics, mostly from 6-20:
