Pictured is a small section of plot in which I transplanted various “greens” seedlings one week ago (along with some seeds which I directly sowed which have just come up). Seen here are arugula, curly cress, and mustard greens - I featured the seed starting of these recently in the seed trials post using worm compost. (more…)
Hey, this is pretty cool! After having read a few articles on the seed germination benefits of worm castings, I decided to do a side by side comparison between vermicompost (dug from my ‘worm pit’) and regular seed starter mix. Referring to the pic (click to enlarge) the bottom row are seeds that I planted using my vermicompost and the top row are in the seed starter mix. (more…)
I came up with this simple, effective method for extending the growing season for a variety of plants. In fact, I used several of them a couple of years ago to grow many heirloom tomato plants all the way through the winter in my Northeast Florida garden. It would be most effective to use this as supplimental heat in a greenhouse or hoop house - and I used them in the latter manner to grow the tomatoes above. (more…)
For the life of me I cannot understand why more folks don’t grow greens. They are so tasty and good for you, grow through much of the year (except they do bolt in the heat), and grow like weeds with a little care. I especially like mustard greens because they are so easy to grow and are very productive. The ones I have planted here are “India” and this variety has a little bit of zing to it. (more…)
As just a test using all natural methods and plant nutrients, I decided to plant some tomatoes in nursery pots. This was a small withered tomato that I got at Lowes at the end of the season in the fall. It is about 6 weeks old and has had absolutely no fertilizer or other chemicals used! Though it’s hard to see in the photo, it is loaded with green tomatoes and blossoms. It is also growing in January. (more…)
I will be discussing and documenting many of my typical backyard farming activities. In addition to the many vegetables and herbs that I will be planting, I also have a large variety of fruit on my property that I will be discussing. Currently I have a lowquat, cumquat, tangelo, peach, two huge fig trees, two persimmon trees, two plum trees, one pecan tree, five blueberry bushes, and a thornless variety of blackberry. Of all of these, I would say that the cumquat and figs are the most prolific (providing bag loads of fruit throughout the growing season).
