Posted on 12/27/2013 12:25:05 PM PST by greeneyes
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We grew Brandywine and Cherokee Purples last year for the first time and were well pleased. I had tried them at the old homestead but they did not do well. we are doing a variety of heirlooms this year also, with big boy being the only hybrid. At least that is the plan at this point, my wife may pick up something else on impulse at planting time.
It’s fun to add something new each season. It also seems to help with the health and vigor of the plants.
Best laid plans...
We had a large chest freezer, which was fairly full, as well as the fridge freezer, when my brother called. A moving friend had offered him their upright freezer, which he didn’t need, but thought we could use. Sure; we’ll drive to CA to visit, and pick it up, as a spare; and to use to defrost the chest a time or two each year.
Now, all three are stuffed, and could use a defrosting...
Haha...That’s the way that usually works out, ain’t it?
WE inherited a huge old KitchenAid side by side when we moved here, that we use for auxiliary storage out in the detached shop. I would like to buy another chest freezer though. Like we really need it. LOL
The county ext service advised me to be sure and rotate crops. I advised her that would be difficult since it is only 11’ x 16’ She said only a couple of feet would be enough, and went into a trance rattling about nematodes and such. Well I took her advice, they are the experts, we plant maters on one side of the patch then the other side next year. The unused part is where we experiment around with other veggies. Last year we tried watermelons and cantaloups: they grew and grew, but never any fruit.
Its all fun.
I wonder if your soil may be too acidic?
Culture
Melons like full sun, hot days, warm nights, and lots of room to grow. They also need moderately rich and well-drained soil that has a pH of 6.0 to 6.8.
Melons really dislike extremely acidic soil, so choose a spot that has naturally alkaline soil, or has recently been limed.
http://www.weekendgardener.net/fruit/melons-070807.htm
Heat may also be an issue:
http://bonnieplants.com/growing/growing-watermelons/
Thanks for all that info. My soil is about 6.0 if my memory is correct, from last years soil test. We have been bringing the ph up each year with lime. We started with battery acid, I think. The head of the Master Gardener program asked me after my first soil test “how did you get anything to grow” The ph was about 5.0 if I am right. We had the teens spread about 3” of compost over it at Christmas when they were here. Trying hard to make soil out of this... dirt!
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:) It's not easy making soil.
I have a box with blank plastic plant signs in it and got it to print more plant names on signs as I am starting those seeds tomorrow, and THERE WERE MY PEPPER SEEDS! Son of a gun! I found them!
They get planted tomorrow!
Golden Baby Belle Sweet Pepper
Pepperoncini Hot Pepper
Sweet Banana Pepper
Fooled You Hybrid Pepper
GLORY! I seldom misplace anything and these packets were just gone. The lost has been found. I ordered more peppers to replace those and added two more types. That is six types of peppers - I hope I get some peppers to actually make peppers.
I must have an adult beverage to celebrate the lost being found. You ask why celebrate such a small thing? I live by myself with my Yorkie and take every opportunity to celebrate the slightest good thing happening. I need a life.
Those look like some wonderful seeds!
Congrats on finding the Lost Seeds. It can really be irritating to know something is here somewhere, but can’t find it.
We spent 4hrs today cleaning out the attached garage(shop)and moving a couple of truckloads of stuff to the storage building. Made great progress and a heckofa mess. Making room to set up my seed incubator to start my seeds soon.
“Making room to set up my seed incubator to start my seeds soon.”
I hope you are finished moving things out of the shop. Your balance isn’t great (neither is mine) and I don’t want you to fall. Just be careful.
I am for sure planting seeds under the grow lamp tomorrow.
Have a happy new year.
/johnny
I hope this is the last transformation of the shop. Instead of doing auto work out in the other building and wood work in the attached garage, all will be done here and the other building will store my old car and lots of shelves with boxes of STUFF. I insulated the attic over the shop a few weeks ago so that I can work out there, maybe with a heater. I put plywood down in the attic to store stuff there, too. We will have room now to clean out some overstuffed closets in the other bedrooms.
It’s all good. I’m excited.
This is New Year’s Eve - do you still have your pants on? Going to any party next door or across the street? Are you drinking? Are you drunk? Are you in your right mind? Are you having fun yet? Where are the catz? They shouldn’t be on the roof, okay?
I'm actually behaving this year.
And no, the sun has gone down. Pants are hanging in the bedroom where they belong.
/johnny
They get planted tomorrow!
According to the 2014 Gardening Calendar, tomorrow and Thursday are great days to start your peppers, and other above ground crops.
Maybe this year there aren’t many parties as people have to pay for health insurance premiums. I think there will be horror stories starting tomorrow as people get sick from flu and other ailments and have accidents and find out they have no insurance and there are millions who didn’t even try to get a policy or couldn’t get one since they are so expensive they couldn’t afford one. What a horrible mess.
Thanks, I just saved that calendar.
I chose not to participate. Everyone mentioned that pants were required.
/johnny
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