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Post by palesa on Feb 10, 2009 5:02:20 GMT
I started growing my own veggies just over a year ago.
I have had mixed results but my BIG thing is, I had a stunning 1st crop, spinach, cabbage, cauliflower, tomatoes all spring to mind, oh and carrots.
I have planted a second, third and fourth crop, and none of the seem to be doing as well (I planted each crop 2 weeks apart).
I have rotated crop and have planted in different beds, have dug in some stunning homegrown, organic compost, but they just do not seem to be doing as well.
I currently have a healthy crop of gem squash, pumpkin and butternut. What I love about healthy, abundant crops is I get to give fresh veggies to poor people who are living on bread.
So, what could I be doing wrong AND what are you growing and what are your tips for growing your own veggies.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2009 6:16:13 GMT
Not having knowledge of your seasns there where you are(how hot,how cold) it's difficult to offer advice about this. Do they have Zone designation's there? I am in a semi tropical climate,designated Zone 9b or 10a by the USDA. We have long summers (like 6mos. or more) followed by a brief fall/winter (NOV.-MAR) and a really brief spring(MAR-MAY).
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2009 6:23:03 GMT
Back when my grandparents and parents had a vegetable garden in the east of France, it was very clear that you don't get the same results every year. Some years are spectacular and others are really bad. That's just the way it goes.
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Post by palesa on Feb 10, 2009 6:28:15 GMT
You ask very very good questions there Casimira.
I will check out the zones, have never heard of them though.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2009 13:05:15 GMT
P., See Bixa's thread on climate zones.
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Post by happytraveller on Feb 10, 2009 13:13:29 GMT
I have not been very successful with growing veggies. Most of the times I've just been feeding the slugs.
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Post by palesa on Feb 10, 2009 13:18:20 GMT
I saw the link, just have had a busy day today.
HT, the problem with my veggie patch and compost heap, is it attracts mice. So we are always chasing, trapping etc. BOnnie thought she was very clever on Friday when she caught a mouse. Eugh!
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Post by palesa on Feb 10, 2009 13:37:48 GMT
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Post by happytraveller on Feb 10, 2009 13:51:45 GMT
She IS a clever Bonnie. Charlie would never chase a mouse, she would just want to lick it.
Slugs are discusting. I burried a glass of beer as a trap. It attracts them, they fall in and drawn. It is very yuck yuck !
Once I live in a place with a bigger yard, I'll try to grow veggies again.
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Post by palesa on Feb 10, 2009 13:55:09 GMT
So slugs like beer?
Interesting.
We used to put compost mixed with tobacco to get rid of the cut worm that we had. I wonder if that would work with the slugs?
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Post by happytraveller on Feb 10, 2009 14:01:48 GMT
No idea, I've never heard of that. Yes, they love beer. What also helps is to put broken egg shell around the veggie patch. It cuts the slugs when they try to get across. You need a hell of a lot of egg shell though.
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Post by spindrift on Feb 11, 2009 10:12:51 GMT
Although initially it was a distasteful thing to do...I am now able to pick up slugs with my fingers and either put them over the wall into my neighbour's garden or into the bin.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2009 12:42:00 GMT
Do you not like your neighbor?
I just harvested some beautiful radishes of both the red and white varieties. The carrots are coming along. We planted a variety called "Purple Haze". My helper and I played Hendrix air guitar while planting them. I think they liked it.
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welle
member
Offline
om sweet om
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Post by welle on Feb 12, 2009 13:20:38 GMT
I did the beer trap thing once in Basel not really thinking it through. I hated having to fish out the drowned snails. After that, I let the slugs have my basil.
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welle
member
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om sweet om
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Post by welle on Feb 12, 2009 13:21:35 GMT
Confusing thing, those climate zones. Depending who you ask, I'm in zone 3, 7, or 17.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2009 14:35:42 GMT
If you're in the USA use the map put out by USDA. I can see some disparity occurring e.g. sometimes mine is 9b or 10a but 3,17?!.I'd be baffled too. Are you sure they weren't referring to YOUR zone,after all you know how some of those Californians think! Wood ashes will also deter slugs
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Post by missalaska on Feb 12, 2009 15:57:59 GMT
I've got rocket on the go like wildfire, my beetroot is starting to look fab - from the top... as are the carrots. Swiss chard is taking a beating from the wind but going ok. Tomatoes have taken a while but the were grown from seed outside and I've learnt a couple of lessons 'bout that for next time, yet to get fruit but have flowers. Brinjal plants are going out this weekend - we've had our yard paved so I've had to wait for them to be finished, so they've been stuck in pots. All the basil I planted to deter pests from the tomatoes growing beautifully with no chewed bits and the ones in pots are being eaten. I'm a complete novice this is my first year. I'm also fighting with grass roots from the neighbour and our own so I might try something different with the plot next year.
One thing palesa is I find it hard to find books dedicated to organic veg gardening here, most I see in shops/library are european or discuss veg gardening briefly.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2009 17:54:48 GMT
In a city like Paris, people do have a few small urban gardens and sometimes even windowbox gardens. However, I am wondering if it is a good idea. Compared to being out in the real agricultural areas where there are lots of health verifications and everything is strictly controlled, urban gardens are chock full of all of the street pollutants, pigeon droppings and who knows what else?
So, even though it is great fun to grow things in an urban setting, it might not be a good idea to consume any of it. I guess we city folk should just stick to flowers.
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Post by spindrift on Feb 12, 2009 18:46:42 GMT
Casimira...my neighbour conducts a hate campaigne against me because her cats preferred me to her...I have posted about it on TTR (She Broke Both her Wrists)... her cats have been locked in her house for 3 years now...poor pussies.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2009 18:53:47 GMT
The whole place probably smells like cat piss. That is her just reward (you should ask somebody who sometimes goes into the house if it does smell).
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2009 20:11:39 GMT
Keep flinging those slugs.I'll send some cat's claw tubers(the invasive vine we have here),plant that around her house,make a small opening for the kitties to escape and she's done.The cat's claw will take no time in covering the house.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2009 20:17:29 GMT
Is that like the plant in "The Little Shop of Horrors"?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2009 21:17:35 GMT
Could well be,it's nasty and the tendrils will grow and stick on anything. I plan to do a photo essay on this once I get off these crutches and back into the light.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2009 21:23:09 GMT
Kudzu vine strike again.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2009 21:24:25 GMT
Missalaska, if you can get your hands on (perhaps mail order) a book : Rodale's All New Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening, ISBN # 0-87857-999-0 or you may be able to order it directly online through Rodale Press. Excellent reference.
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Post by palesa on Feb 15, 2009 9:14:56 GMT
My sweet corn was awful tough, not sweet at all, rather chewy. Back to the drawing board. Brussel sprouts seems to be getting a new leaf on life Beets lovely and tasty Can't get my brinjals to grow, at all. MissA, watch your rocket, it soon takes over.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2009 11:19:59 GMT
I have found that growing sweet corn is not worth the bother for all the room it takes up,the pestilence that ensues all for such a meager yield.
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Post by bixaorellana on Feb 15, 2009 16:35:57 GMT
Many years ago I knew a newly married couple who lived on Ursulines in New Orleans, across the street from Brocatos. (right in the French Quarter). The boy had grown up in the Quarter and the girl was from Mississippi. She planted a vegetable garden in the teensy back patio, a garden that included corn. Her husband used to just stand there and marvel at the sight of corn growing.
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Post by missalaska on Feb 16, 2009 11:19:13 GMT
Brinjals take a while palesa. I had to wait for our paving to be done but I've now transplanted the brinjals into the main bed. Thanks casimira I'll take a look, although from what I've read on reviews again it is for cooler climates, will see if I can see a copy in a shop somewhere.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2009 17:30:13 GMT
This morning took out the last of the turnips,arugula and winter lettuces and planted:cantaloupe,summer squash,filet beans,a couple tomatoes although I said I wouldn't,okra. Also some epazote and perilla, and upon hw's recommendation bitter gourd.
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