Just planted my garden

[Ross]

Just a quick update:

I chose Miracle Grow potting soil which is just compost with Miracle Grow added. It is not sterile! Mold and damping off will still be an issue. I caught it in time, but needed a dusting of Captan followed by light misting to water into very top surface. I had mold developing. I first used my trusty Physan 20 (which, if truth were known, would probably have done the trick) but chose to pull out the big guns, cause I don't want to have to replant.

I have raddishes up, Lettuce just came up this morning, and spinnach is starting (a few plants are up.) It's the perfect stage for damping off, thus the Captan and Physan 20 treatments.

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[masda]

Theres nothing like fresh vegs from your own garden that are spray free (or should be) I have a small 15 x15 plot that keeps me going all year. It used to be much larger but I built a orchid house over most of it. Good luck with your project.

[Ross]

Just another quick photo update:



I have found Miracle Grow mix with city water works just wonders. From right to left: Raddish, Spinach, Lettuce, 2nd crop Spinach, empty (will become 3rd crop Spinach), then lastly, lettuce (2nd crop.)

No sprays on these guys, and, so far, no bugs either

Now how do I raise the lights to allow for growth on the trays at right and still get the left-hand trays up to snuff? Obviously: place boards under the trays

[nenella]

Interesting and at the same time thread!
Ross,Good Luck!! lovely idea to try veg & please do keep us posted on how they all grow

[camille1585]

They are starting to look very yummy! Looks like they are growing pretty well. What are you doing for fertilizer?

[Ross]

Originally Posted by camille1585

What are you doing for fertilizer?

Miracle Grow once a week.

[LinhT]

Great looking garden, Ross. Somebody on a Dahlia forum I visit is doing something like this and his plants are blooming just fine. I may try something like this to start my dahlias early next spring.

Is that just reflective mylar you have lining the back and sides?

[Ross]

Originally Posted by LinhT

Is that just reflective mylar you have lining the back and sides?

Yes. It helps bounce the light back onto plants. Have been harvest raddish, spinnach and lots of lettuce so far. To me, the experiences one gets pushing really high sun plants helps with the orchid hobby as well. I would think Dahlias would be fun to start under lights.

[Ross]

Another quick update: We've had a few pickings (or clippings) of lettuce. The Raddish is gone, (picked) and the first spinach is getting towards the end. The planter at right is prepped with new raddish. To the left is new lettuce, 3rd crop of spinach, 2nd crop spinach, the current crop of lettuce, current drop of spinach and the newly planted raddish. This has been a real learning exercise and pretty much a success.

[Ross]

Update: The planter to right has raddish just about ready plus another crop soon behind. The planter with the first crop of spinach has just (today) been rotated and another crop started. This will be 4th crop. Lettuce seems to be doing well. These babies suck up nitrogen like all get out so I have to water daily with a Miracle Grow mix - heavier fertilizer than when in garden. Next year, I'll not do the "space-saver" spinach and go with normal size. We've not had to shop for greens since I started this experiment, so I declare this experiment "confirmed"! (I watch Mythbusters.)