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The idea of renting a 4' x 8' plot at a local community garden seemed like a good idea...in February. Touring the gardens in preparation for choosing a plot was interesting as it looked not so much like a garden, but a cemetary in New Orleans.
A water source for the gardens was to be installed in April, hopefully near one of my plots. I carried in bags of cotton compost to amend the dense, sandy soil while pondering how much food could I actually get from a 4' x 8' plot? Quite a lot!
First come radishes and lettuce, then the first planting of beets. The cilantro I didn't use as leaves is now a delicate rangy plant loaded with green coriander seeds. Haricot vert need to be picked every other day or two. A few tomatoes and several seedlings of the Spanish Tapas pepper 'Padron' fit very nicely.
People stop by to chat and ask advice. There is even a comunity garden potluck at 6:00 p.m. Fridays. Though, unfortunately, I haven't made it to one of those yet. It's an interesting place to stroll and unwind after a day at work and, yes, a nice place for community. |
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Beware the Ides of March! A timely warning for Colorado gardeners; if ever there was one. March is indeed the month of seduction, but care must be taken not to get ahead of yourself. Soil may be amended now, soil tests taken, and seeds for long-season warm crops started indoors. The few sparse snows have not provided adequate moisture, so supplemental watering should continue. Watering now will ensure that not only will your perennials and shrubs remain in good shape, but your spring bulbs will bloom longer and remain strong. |
We all realize that this is a busy time of year for most everyone, but if you haven't watered in the past four weeks you really need to! We have just ended one of the driest autumn on record and our landscapes are looking parched and dusty.
Pay special attention to newly installed perennials, shrubs and the bulbs planted this past fall. Vigilent watering now will help insure a beautiful, blooming Spring.
Remember, a good rule of thumb for winter watering is at LEAST once a month, any day above 50 degrees for 15-20 min in each location. Set your sprinkler on a low sprinkle so you don't lose to much water to the wind and it willl give the frozen ground more time to absorb the water.
From all the staff at Good Earth, we hope you have a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season! |
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I attended the PPUG (Pikes Peak Urban Garden) fall vegetable gardening 'Year in Review' class. As usual the class was informative and timely.
I am making notes for next year while the 2010 gardening season is still fresh in my mind, possibly a good idea for many of my fellow gardeners.
I did have the best tomato year ever. Several improvments were made in the way I normally garden.
The first improvment was not skimping on soil amendments. I used the Happy Frog Soil Conditioner for all my food crops. Tomatoes in pots also recieved a little Happy Frog in addition to the Fertilome Potting Soil I would regularly use.
Fertilizing and watering done on a timely basis workded wonders to provide tomatoes earlier than usual, even with our much cooler Spring weather.
NO CROWDING! I planted fewer tomatoes than ever before, but gave them adequate room. No dieases, good air circulation, and no delay in ripening where my rewards.
I planted a few determinate varieties on pots, Earli Annie, Lime Green Salad and Prange Paruche preformed exceptionally well. Mr. Stripey was also planted in a pot. A mistake I will not make next year as the large, robust, indeterminate threated to take over our BBQ grill. Belii Naliv was a very welcome new addition to my tomato garden, one that I will repeat next year.
Thank you to Larry Stebbins for recommending Big Beef, absolutly fabulous for two years now! |
As I hurry up my own front walk, I'm disappointed. Brown Yarrow, weedy grass, spent flowerheads, clearly not enough time in my garden. I've been tending the gardens of others, and consequently mine needs attention!
There is no time or place for complacency in the garden, there is still plenty of season remaining.
Maintenence is a must, deadheading should happen weekly for maximum re-blooming. Perennials that have passed their bloom time should be tidied up.
Lettuce and Arugula seeds were sown last week in the newly cleaned vegetable bed, I hope to see them by Friday.
Weeding, of course, the never ending duty! All of this takes place during the lovely , somewhat cooler evenings. Even 1/2 hour an evening can make a great difference. I have several perennials to plant, so I'll need some compost, the same rules apply now as in the Spring.
It's also time to scout out places for some bulbs, as we have several new varieties that I would like to try this year...
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