grdnguru's blog: Natures curve ball!!

As I write this, we (Mid-Atlantic) are expecting storms with high winds and much colder temps. The projected low is supposed to be around 36-38. Right now, we are having wind gusts of about 35 mpg. So, I have been busy trying to protect the crops that have just sprung to life above ground.
Early this morning, I went out and got to the task of protecting my Pea seedlings as well as I could. I know they are hardy but given they just broke ground about 2 days ago, I felt I had to do what I could. The complicating fact for me was that they were at the feet of my new trellis. That meant I needed to somehow cover both sides of the poles in order to afford complete protection. I looked around and found two long sheets of some old 6 ml greenhouse plastic. Luckily, they were long enough to wrap each side of each set of poles. Having this was the first hurdle crossed. I then had to figure out how to close the tops of the plastic to make a tee pee type covering. That's when it struck me that I had several sets of clothespins that hopefully will stand the rigors of our incoming storms and cold.
I envisioned wrapping the base of each set of poles with the cover and closing up the tops with the pins. I probably overused the clothes pins but I wanted to try as best I could to overbuild it. Here is how the Pea trellis ended up looking. Tonight will be the test.

To the right of the trellis is where I planted 5 Yukon gold and 6 Red potato starts. The Yukon's are nearer the garage and the Reds are in front of them. When I checked them this morning, there were tiny plants breaking through the ground. I took some of my homemade soil mix and covered the seedlings with a thin layer of it to offset the very cold temps expected tonight. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure as I always heard.
Speaking of soil mixes, the mixing process has always seemed strenuous and time consuming to me. Even though I am retired and have a lot more time now, I still don't like wasting it. My wife and I went to Aldi's to grocery shop this past Sunday. And, as we turned into one of the aisles, I saw a box for a rotating 15 gallon composter. Intrigued to find this at an Aldi's, I priced it and thought do I really need another composter given I have 4 currently. We went on shopping and I gave that unit more thought. Then, it struck me, I could use this to mix the various ingredients I use to blend my soil ingredients. So, you guessed it, I bought it! And here is a picture of the completed unit.

The soil in front of the unit was mixed in about 5 minutes and it resulted in a very well distributed medium. And, best of all, it was much easier than using the 5 gallon buckets I have been using. Put the various components in, close the door and spin. Easy - which I like.
I woke up this morning bemoaning the weird and unpredictable nature of the weather this month. If I remember right, last April was very similar but this year the temps just don't seem as warm as last years. And, the winds this year have been more intense. That has delayed my transplanting of my seedlings which are stuck under grow lights. That, I thought, couldn't continue much longer.
After addressing the Pea situation, I peeked into my shed but found nothing that could help. I then went to my garage and there it was, my answer, staring me in the face. I had an old cover that I used for seedling hardening off. I decided to deploy this over the area where I had my cloches. This would allow me to use the cloches for my broccoli and cabbage plants. The cover will allow me to transplant my tomatoes and cucumber seedlings. This was a true win-win for the garden. Just wished I had thought of it sooner. Here is how they look now.

This year, I am trying to grow potatoes in grow bags. Heard a lot about them and thanks to my wife who bought these, I dove right in. So, about a week ago, I followed the instructions that came with the bags and added the starts to the bags with soil. I watered them and left them in sun in my greenhouse. Lo and behold, I checked on their progress not expecting much, but all the taters had sprouted. They are hard to see at this point but i did manage to catch one set in this picture.

There are three in the center of this pic. I did grow potatoes last year but did not water them and mound them as much as I should. I'm looking for incremental improvement year over year with improved knowledge. Next year I have plans to grow a 20 foot row which would be 20 starts.
There is plenty to do and hopefully, the weather will turn seasonal and predictable. I have a bunch of projects to get completed but will first attend to getting the seedlings out in the garden. I'll harden them off in my greenhouse for about a week and then transplant them under the protective covers eventually. With a little luck, all will work out. If not, I have sources for replacement seedlings.
So, until next time, Happy Gardening everyone!

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