Raised Bed Garden - v.2010

[skier2]

Well, some insects are beneficial but, I'm looking into a couple of books that will (hopefully) answer, that question.

What one person told me to do is to make our yard "bird-friendly" and that will stave off a lot of insects that eat plants. We did that and had no tomato thingies and I'd look in the garden and see lots of lil brown birds hanging out in it so, I'm guessing it worked some.

I use a spray that is just garlic, cayenne pepper, clove oil, rosemary oil, and water. It works like a charm, is non-toxic, and washes right off, and only needs to be used when there is already an insect invasion.

[Revvell]

Hmmm. I've had people tell me to just spray with diluted dishwashing liquid yet, they also reminded me that anything I spray will kill the beneficial as well as the not-so BUT, I guess birds will eat the beneficial as well.

Now, I have used a combination of eucalyptus and mint oils in my sunroom to get rid of fleas. That works.

I like your combo better than dishwashing liquid. Not real tasty if one eats straight from the garden as I do.

I use a spray that is just garlic, cayenne pepper, clove oil, rosemary oil, and water. It works like a charm, is non-toxic, and washes right off, and only needs to be used when there is already an insect invasion.

[DebB]

What kinds of plants will everyone be using to ward off insects?

I planted lots of marigolds (around 4-6 marigolds in each of the 8'x4' beds) last summer and that seemed to help too. *Ü*

[Revvell]

Hmmm. I planted some but not "lots". Pretty much what you did. I've read two different things about them: 1) that they help and 2) that you really need LOTS for them to help. All I know is, SOMEthing helped and the part that had marigolds had fewer problems than the part that didn't.

O.k., here's one for yas .... the leaves on my squash plant get VERY white. I'm told that's not a good thing BUT, it doesn't affect my squash.

What's your take on it?

I planted lots of marigolds (around 4-6 marigolds in each of the 8'x4' beds) last summer and that seemed to help too. *Ü*

[Green_Woman]

Man, I feel like such a little wimpy beginner. *giggles*

I think I should grab some bags of compost today (while my own new compost pile gets going) just to make myself feel like I'm getting somewhere on this garden.

I have to wait for Him to come up this weekend with the Range Rover so I can haul the lumber/materials to build the raised beds.


Soooooo impatient to get going!!!!!!!

[T-Bird]

O.k., here's one for yas .... the leaves on my squash plant get VERY white. I'm told that's not a good thing BUT, it doesn't affect my squash.

Powdery mildew - take those leaves off immediately you notice them, as long as there are enough leaves to keep the plant in business...

[T-Bird]

oh - and dispose of away from your garden, and wash you hands/tools as not to spread.

PM on squash can also affect all plants int he same family - cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, etc.

[Green_Woman]

I built a burm around my largest tree today. It's raining again and I want to cache that water for the trees... I have three trees in my front yard. They are Arizona trees, which means Easterners and Europeans would call them bushes.




Tomorrow, we are fetching lumber (or bricks... sigh) and making the raised bed garden. I've been tilling the soil on the location all week, and now it's raining so I'll probably need to root around out there some more tomorrow before placing the frame down.

Would you all consider $8.99 for a 2 cubic sq ft bag of organic Compost to be a good price?

I don't have my own compost yet (working on it! it's the hectic season for performance...) so I have to buy it.

[Revvell]

I dunno. Sounds a bit 'spensive to me but I'm using free mulch here yet, as much time as it takes to create compost, it wouldn't surprise me if it was 4 times that price.

I wanna see the "burm" is it?

I built a burm around my largest tree today. It's raining again and I want to cache that water for the trees... I have three trees in my front yard. They are Arizona trees, which means Easterners and Europeans would call them bushes.

Would you all consider $8.99 for a 2 cubic sq ft bag of organic Compost to be a good price?

[Revvell]

Can't understand why, in this place we'd get mildew BUT, I just read:

For that powdery mildew, after you pick off the infected leaves, mix a spray of 1/4 cup baking soda to 2 gal water and spray them. It'll help control it from spreading.

Powdery mildew - take those leaves off immediately you notice them, as long as there are enough leaves to keep the plant in business...

[Green_Woman]

It's built!!!

I haven't made time yet to transplant the starter plants... it's REALLY cold and REALLY rainy here right now and I'm hiding inside by the space heater.

[Green_Woman]

My plants have REALLY perked up and begun to enjoy their new environment! I also re-potted my tiny Tree and my Crown-a-thorns cactus in compost, and they both seem to be happy to have healthy soil again!

I'm feeding my plants raw foods, now, too. ;)

[Green_Woman]

Photos of my new garden-in-progress!!!

[Green_Woman]

I need to take more photos to show you guys what's been going on in my garden the last couple weeks... my greens are HUGE, and all the other plants EXCEPT the parsley seem REALLY happy, developed and content in their new home!

I water them regularly, but it doesn't take much water to soak through the compost so it's not adding much to my water bill. It's worth it... just having that GREENERY in my yard is soooo worth it!

I do have little gnats that fly around the plants alot, so I'll be figuring out what to do about those this weekend.

[Revvell]

I do have little gnats that fly around the plants alot, so I'll be figuring out what to do about those this weekend.

Make your yard bird friendly. Hummers and other feathered friends like lil gnatty guys and girls. :)