Anyone put,or plan to put in a garden this year?

[bsfins]

I decided after a strange year last year with lot's off 100 degree days,I'd do quality over quantity.Add to the fact the plants I started from seed since late January looked pitiful (being nice),and I didn't think would survive the transplant to this system.I'm trying something new this year,home made sub-surface self watering system,commercially known as Earth boxes.I got the idea off Lifehacker,which linked to a Youtube video.In the Video from 2011,he referenced another guy from the year before.I watch more videos that I found,and took the ideas I liked the most,added and refined (made it Bigger,Argh,Argh,Argh)...I even debated doing the Super version,using the 55 gallon drum,but didn't like the wicking options.



I really want to do a grey water system,but haven't found a cheap,option that I like,that also doesn't take LOADS of room...

Do you plan on putting in a Garden? Have you used this type of system before?

Anyone use a grey water system? Got any good ideas for one?

[Dave Gray]

I have been meaning to do it.  I have a little space that I'd like to use for a garden, but I've got enough on my plate. 

I was thinking of doing kind of a salsa garden: jalapenos, cilantro, tomatoes, etc.  What are you growing?

[bsfins]

The Blue tubs,are Tomatoes (roma's in back,and early girls in front),the Red tub is Green peppers.It was supposed to be a red pepper,and a green pepper but I grabbed the wrong plant.I have the supplies,except the container,and I could use an extra bag of soil,to build 1 other box.I'd like to do banana peppers,maybe a more exotic tomato. Ohh I also have a wall of Basil,blocking out the window in the bedroom I have so much.....

[fyo]

Basil is awesome. Herbs in general are great, imho, but basil is a must. My other major 'crop' is chili (a wide variety).

[bsfins]

A quick update..I did build another box,a red one that I put sweet banana peppers...I wanted two,but could only find packages of 4..So I've got 4...

Also, I'm amazed at how wonderful the boxes are performing.I put 1 piece of Basil in the center of each tomato box,I read somewhere planting Basil next to Tomato plants make the tomatoes taste better...I stuck my finger through the plastic to plant the basil,about the second knuckle into the dirt,it was cool,and moist <--I hate that word

And um...My grey water dream is sort of squashed,because I seem to lack a fairly important piece,to do very effectively...I have zero gutters on my house

[Phishfan]

the Red tub is Green peppers.It was supposed to be a red pepper,and a green pepper but I grabbed the wrong plant.

Bell or some other kind of pepper? If you mean bell pepper, just leave the green ones on the vine until they mature (they will turn red).

[bsfins]

I meant to get sweet red chilies,but grabbed two green bell peppers,or there was a green bell Pepper in the red sweet chilies pot holder thing...

Last years garden,I grew all from seeds,and I didn't have a clue,what pepper was what pepper.Some came in green,others yellow,and then some deep purple color.I decided against that this year,I'd leave the screwing up to myself...

[bsfins]

Just a quick update,I'm ort of shocked at well this has worked....I've not used a fertilizer,miracle grow,anything on these this year...and the Boxes work really well...I've got lots of yellow buds,and have for a week or so,but no tomatoes yet....We got some nice rain in a while last night.




I added the 2nd red box of Banana Peppers (4 plants) a week later,which half of them promptly died.Dug up the box to make sure the box was constructed correct,fixed a minor drain problem.That's when I discovered the root balls of the dead plants were like concrete,bought two more slightly larger banana pepper plants.Took the two that weren't dead,and thought,I'll plant them too.They came right back to life,to my surprise and are doing well...

The green peppers haven't exploded  the way the tomatoes have,but are doing  well...

My only major regret now,is I used the small tomato cages from last year,rather than the larger ones I in the garage....Too late now...

[Dave Gray]

I totally plan on doing this.

[JVides]

B, I grow tomatoes every year, along with red/green peppers, jalapenos, basil, cilantro, rosemary and, new this year, strawberries.  Of course, South Florida's growing season for most of these is fall/winter, not summer, so all but my rosemary and strawberries are now dead.

Be ready to eat tomatoes all day long.  They give like crazy.