Garden tips by Belly

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justincredible's avatar

justincredible

Nick Mangold

32,056 posts
Jun 20, 2013 10:31 AM
Sonofanump;1460563 wrote:Did you guys have a harsh frost last night, I'd be more worried about that then a slight slope.
Totally unexpected, too.
Jun 20, 2013 10:31am
Belly35's avatar

Belly35

Elderly Intellectual

9,716 posts
Jun 20, 2013 10:52 AM
I would suggest to those with above ground garden, each year add more soil, manure to create good soil so that the soil is about 1 below the top board.. I found that the first two years my soil dropped almost 6 inches before and during the growing season ... during the dry part of the years the soil cracked and became harder and dryer quicker.. the fuller the beds with soil the less this happens . IMO only...
Jun 20, 2013 10:52am
justincredible's avatar

justincredible

Nick Mangold

32,056 posts
Jun 20, 2013 10:53 AM
Belly35;1460569 wrote:I would suggest to those with above ground garden, each year add more soil, manure to create good soil so that the soil is about 1 below the top board.. I found that the first two years my soil dropped almost 6 inches before and during the growing season ... during the dry part of the years the soil cracked and became harder and dryer quicker.. the fuller the beds with soil the less this happens . IMO only...
I think this is good info and definitely something I plan on doing this off-season.
Jun 20, 2013 10:53am
Belly35's avatar

Belly35

Elderly Intellectual

9,716 posts
Jun 20, 2013 10:57 AM
justincredible;1460566 wrote:Totally unexpected, too.
My garden is not level over the years it has shifted ... no big deal what field is level

Sometime a above ground garden is not effected by late frost. The board and soil seen to hold the heat of the day in long and protects the plants. Onion, radishes, beet and those types of plant will not be effected by frost.
Jun 20, 2013 10:57am
LJ's avatar

LJ

Senior Member

16,351 posts
Jun 20, 2013 10:58 AM
Belly35;1460569 wrote:I would suggest to those with above ground garden, each year add more soil, manure to create good soil so that the soil is about 1 below the top board.. I found that the first two years my soil dropped almost 6 inches before and during the growing season ... during the dry part of the years the soil cracked and became harder and dryer quicker.. the fuller the beds with soil the less this happens . IMO only...
Yes, good reminder. Mine is more 1/4 amended native soil and 3/4 garden soil. I took a smaller 2 cycle tiller and would till everything together every 2" or so.
Jun 20, 2013 10:58am
Belly35's avatar

Belly35

Elderly Intellectual

9,716 posts
Jun 20, 2013 11:29 AM
LJ;1460574 wrote:Yes, good reminder. Mine is more 1/4 amended native soil and 3/4 garden soil. I took a smaller 2 cycle tiller and would till everything together every 2" or so.

Now because my soil is a combo of top soil, garden mix (same same as yours) I use a garden weasel just to break up the top surface.
on my two beds 10x20 and 12 x 28 ?(I think) can remember now. If it wasn't for those dam maple trees helicopter I have little to know weeds.. </SPAN>
Jun 20, 2013 11:29am
mcburg93's avatar

mcburg93

permaban to basement

3,167 posts
Jun 20, 2013 12:15 PM
Best tip I can give is plant some marigolds in the garden they help keep bugs away. Not a tip but If you are trying to keep organic make sure the manure you are getting came from an organic farm.
Jun 20, 2013 12:15pm
M

MontyBrunswick

Jun 20, 2013 12:18 PM
I don't have a garden because I live next door to Meijer.

Hope this helps.
Jun 20, 2013 12:18pm
ernest_t_bass's avatar

ernest_t_bass

12th Son of the Lama

24,984 posts
Jun 20, 2013 1:34 PM
Belly... answer my question about sandy soil. Thanx.
Jun 20, 2013 1:34pm
S

Sonofanump

Jun 20, 2013 1:38 PM
ernest_t_bass;1460636 wrote:Belly... answer my question about sandy soil. Thanx.
I like how you asked the question to Berry, the dude who doesn't post anymore but had the one line puns.
Jun 20, 2013 1:38pm
mcburg93's avatar

mcburg93

permaban to basement

3,167 posts
Jun 20, 2013 2:44 PM
ernest_t_bass;1460636 wrote:Belly... answer my question about sandy soil. Thanx.
If its real sandy you need to mix some more soil with it. You also will have to water more cause it will drain faster then most soils.
Jun 20, 2013 2:44pm
Belly35's avatar

Belly35

Elderly Intellectual

9,716 posts
Jun 20, 2013 3:01 PM
ernest_t_bass;1460636 wrote:Belly... answer my question about sandy soil. Thanx.
Belly not Berry mofo

Sandy soil is a good/bad thing but can be easy fixed. Compost
You can buy compost at Lowes for $7.44 a bag

I would mix a bag Compost and a bag of Garden mix together and spread it into the sandy soil.

Sandy soil will not holds a fertizer waste of time for now... blend in the compost and garden mix and sometime at the end of the growing season add the fertizer with a little more compost.
Jun 20, 2013 3:01pm
justincredible's avatar

justincredible

Nick Mangold

32,056 posts
Jun 20, 2013 3:03 PM
Does anyone do soil tests to check for pH or anything? I really have no idea if my soil is acidic or alkaline, not sure if it's that big of a deal or not.
Jun 20, 2013 3:03pm
ernest_t_bass's avatar

ernest_t_bass

12th Son of the Lama

24,984 posts
Jun 20, 2013 3:16 PM
Belly35;1460686 wrote:Belly not Berry mofo

Sandy soil is a good/bad thing but can be easy fixed. Compost
You can buy compost at Lowes for $7.44 a bag

I would mix a bag Compost and a bag of Garden mix together and spread it into the sandy soil.

Sandy soil will not holds a fertizer waste of time for now... blend in the compost and garden mix and sometime at the end of the growing season add the fertizer with a little more compost.
Thanks, nifo
Jun 20, 2013 3:16pm
mcburg93's avatar

mcburg93

permaban to basement

3,167 posts
Jun 20, 2013 3:22 PM
justincredible;1460688 wrote:Does anyone do soil tests to check for pH or anything? I really have no idea if my soil is acidic or alkaline, not sure if it's that big of a deal or not.
Most fertilizer places does free soil tests for gardens. If you have one close to you you might just give them a call and see.
Jun 20, 2013 3:22pm
Belly35's avatar

Belly35

Elderly Intellectual

9,716 posts
Jun 20, 2013 3:38 PM
Adding a fence to the above ground garden

I I used galvanized pipe for the top and bottom spanning the length of my garden, zip ties, two opened screw type eye bolts and plastic green fencing. I used the green plastic fencing because it was light weight and did not get twisted or bent when setting the fence on the ground.

My garden spans over 20 feet so I had to use support post in the middle. With a shorter span this would not be needed. All I do is lift up the top bar and lower it to the ground and work on my garden, with the plastic fencing you can walk on it without damaging the fence.





Jun 20, 2013 3:38pm
Belly35's avatar

Belly35

Elderly Intellectual

9,716 posts
Jun 20, 2013 3:40 PM
justincredible;1460688 wrote:Does anyone do soil tests to check for pH or anything? I really have no idea if my soil is acidic or alkaline, not sure if it's that big of a deal or not.
I have never tested my soil with the burning, manure and added garden mix and then covering over winter .. IMO everything equals out...
Jun 20, 2013 3:40pm
justincredible's avatar

justincredible

Nick Mangold

32,056 posts
Jun 20, 2013 3:44 PM
Belly35;1460717 wrote:Adding a fence to the above ground garden

I I used galvanized pipe for the top and bottom spanning the length of my garden, zip ties, two opened screw type eye bolts and plastic green fencing. I used the green plastic fencing because it was light weight and did not get twisted or bent when setting the fence on the ground.

My garden spans over 20 feet so I had to use support post in the middle. With a shorter span this would not be needed. All I do is lift up the top bar and lower it to the ground and work on my garden, with the plastic fencing you can walk on it without damaging the fence.





This helps. Thanks. I'll be doing something like this this weekend.
Jun 20, 2013 3:44pm
Belly35's avatar

Belly35

Elderly Intellectual

9,716 posts
Jun 20, 2013 3:51 PM
justincredible;1460725 wrote:This helps. Thanks. I'll be doing something like this this weekend.
Note: I let the bottom hang down about 1 inch over the top board I would suggest 3 inch
Jun 20, 2013 3:51pm
redstreak one's avatar

redstreak one

Senior Member

1,152 posts
Jun 20, 2013 8:40 PM
I have a garden, I till it up in the spring, plant, weed, water (live on Scioto river bottoms sandy soil) when needed, eat. No fence, no raised beds, no fertilizer, don't care about the ph or alkaline level, but that soil is black as coal and can grow anything!
Jun 20, 2013 8:40pm
redrocket's avatar

redrocket

Senior Member

126 posts
Jun 21, 2013 8:49 AM
Concrete farmers, LOL
Jun 21, 2013 8:49am
Belly35's avatar

Belly35

Elderly Intellectual

9,716 posts
Jun 21, 2013 10:15 AM
redrocket;1461045 wrote:Concrete farmers, LOL
Hey! Hey! Country Bro we do what we have to do to get fresh eats .. we don't have the option like you "gathers" of berries, mushrooms, pine nuts and wild road kill liver... :)
Jun 21, 2013 10:15am
justincredible's avatar

justincredible

Nick Mangold

32,056 posts
Jun 21, 2013 10:25 AM
redrocket;1461045 wrote:Concrete farmers, LOL
I don't want to live in the city but I am stuck there for a while longer. Just making due with the hand I have been dealt. And I prefer the term Urban Farmer.
Jun 21, 2013 10:25am
LJ's avatar

LJ

Senior Member

16,351 posts
Jun 21, 2013 10:41 AM
Our Zucchini plants keep getting eaten alive. I have coated them in garden dust multiple times. That doesn't seem to be helping. Someone said to try spraying them with beer. Any other suggestions?
Jun 21, 2013 10:41am
ernest_t_bass's avatar

ernest_t_bass

12th Son of the Lama

24,984 posts
Jun 21, 2013 10:43 AM
LJ;1461105 wrote:Our Zucchini plants keep getting eaten alive. I have coated them in garden dust multiple times. That doesn't seem to be helping. Someone said to try spraying them with beer. Any other suggestions?

Jun 21, 2013 10:43am