Inevitability
Expert Member
where do I get the bamboo stakes, and what do they cost? my beans plants are looking like they will need alot of support.
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beginner fruit/veg garden
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Inevitability
Expert Member
time for a full update...
Marigolds are all doing great, without me really making any effort. They just keep flowering.
a couple of Jalapenos are starting to put out the beginnings of flowers
I transplanted the first of the Jalapenos into it's final home... a PnP fabric bag (for air-pruning) and a plastic basin underneath it to serve as the self-watering container. PnP bag = R10 , plastic basin = R25 @ makro
small hole drilled into the plastic dish to prevent too much water from pooling
more to follow...
Marigolds are all doing great, without me really making any effort. They just keep flowering.
a couple of Jalapenos are starting to put out the beginnings of flowers
I transplanted the first of the Jalapenos into it's final home... a PnP fabric bag (for air-pruning) and a plastic basin underneath it to serve as the self-watering container. PnP bag = R10 , plastic basin = R25 @ makro
small hole drilled into the plastic dish to prevent too much water from pooling
more to follow...
Inevitability
Expert Member
The Peppadew plants have basically gone nowhere since I bought them. I dunno why. They are still alive (or they look like it), but they are just stuck.
Cucumber plants are starting to put out more female flowers. Still not enough male flowers around (if any), so I'm not expecting cucumbers just yet. The plants aren't really spreading out enough yet. I've been trying as much as possible to stay away from fertilizer but I might have to give in. Might start with fish emulsion.
Cucumbers are now also in self-watering containers (which is just the plastic basin added under the PnP bag)
Mint patch continues to grow strong. I'm gonna need to pick some mint soon
more to follow...
Cucumber plants are starting to put out more female flowers. Still not enough male flowers around (if any), so I'm not expecting cucumbers just yet. The plants aren't really spreading out enough yet. I've been trying as much as possible to stay away from fertilizer but I might have to give in. Might start with fish emulsion.
Cucumbers are now also in self-watering containers (which is just the plastic basin added under the PnP bag)
Mint patch continues to grow strong. I'm gonna need to pick some mint soon
more to follow...
Inevitability
Expert Member
Coriander is progressing nicely. I already picked a few leaves last week 
After my previous idiotic mistake with the lettuce, I started some new seeds using the baggie method mentioned previously. They had a very good germination percentage. These lettuce are now in a mini self-watering container
Previously-planted lettuce is starting to break the soil and look for sunlight.
Hard to see here, but some of the rocket plants are starting to put out their first true leaves.
more to follow...
After my previous idiotic mistake with the lettuce, I started some new seeds using the baggie method mentioned previously. They had a very good germination percentage. These lettuce are now in a mini self-watering container
Previously-planted lettuce is starting to break the soil and look for sunlight.
Hard to see here, but some of the rocket plants are starting to put out their first true leaves.
more to follow...
Inevitability
Expert Member
Marigolds were flowering so well that I collected the dried buds (which have the seeds) and planted them. Not much to look at here, but it will serve as the comparison for later updates.
First bean pods are now out (below) ... Last night I started to germinate more red-speckled beans in paper towels. On my first attempt, not a single kidney bean germinated, so I'm giving it another try. No pics on those, but here's the 4 exiting bean plants that seem to be doing well.
And finally...
Swiss Chard took a beating in 2 hail storms. They were all down to just the central mass (all leave destroyed), but they have made a comeback.
First bean pods are now out (below) ... Last night I started to germinate more red-speckled beans in paper towels. On my first attempt, not a single kidney bean germinated, so I'm giving it another try. No pics on those, but here's the 4 exiting bean plants that seem to be doing well.
And finally...
Swiss Chard took a beating in 2 hail storms. They were all down to just the central mass (all leave destroyed), but they have made a comeback.
Inevitability
Expert Member
I heard that trick for growing potatoes from fmaily members who did it (...many moons ago):
- Lay 1 tyre down and fill with soil.
- Take an old potato that's starting to put out sprouts and plant it. If the sprouts are growing from 2 parts of the potato, you can even make multiple starters by just cutting it in half.
- Plant it into the "tyre pot" you've just made.
- once the potato plant starts to take off and grow 30cm, throw another tyre on top and fill with soil so it covers the potato plant and only leaves a few cm above ground
- keep repeating that cycle: 30cm of growth, add a new tyre.
- When you are up to maybe 5 tyres, leave the potato plant to grow til it gets yellow and looks old, then take it apart and fry some chips
I would strongly advise against tires. Use 20l plastic containers,the one's that paint is used for.
You get them at plastic warehouses,and you can easily grow tomatoes and peppers in it,plenty of youtube videos about it.
Agreed.
Gave up vegetable gardening at the beginning of this drought. Still have herbs in pots though.
Inevitability
Expert Member
We are still under water restrictions in Gauteng. I water with a watering can... Never needed more than 2 cans of water, but my garden is still very small scale.
My self-watering containers (aka cheap plastic basin underneath my plants) are making a big difference cos I hardly need to water those plants now with the rains starting to get more frequent.
Yes,i'm on the bucket lol. Only have tomatoes going now,so i water them by the hand with a cup. Trying to save water and do my part. You will be surprised how little water is used when u hand water,it takes a lil more effort,but hey it's always worth it. No store bought tomato compares to what you grow yourself,way worth the effort for me.
Inevitability
Expert Member
Try the self-watering trick I mentioned in my previous posts... it's quite cheap and it's really working for me.
Had a big moment yesterday (after 2 days of intense dry heat)... I came home and found 3 chilli plants that weren't in the self-watering basins looking terribly dry.
But the 3 that I had the plastic basins under them were looking strong, one was even putting out a new flower.
So have jalapeños and sweet chillies seedlings in pots .
Put them daytime on grass and bring them in at night , trying to get them used to wind .
Tonight when wanted to bring them inside they were covered with xmass Beatles
Had to pick the Beatles off .
What damage can these guys do ?
Put them daytime on grass and bring them in at night , trying to get them used to wind .
Tonight when wanted to bring them inside they were covered with xmass Beatles
Had to pick the Beatles off .
What damage can these guys do ?
Squash plants finally starting to make some serious progress. Focusing on just a few plants at the moment given the water restrictions. I've had my keyhole garden going for 8 months now and only one of the original plants steadfastly remains, that's the Fennel. Though that's thanks mainly to me being put off trying any more of it on a plate after initial disasters cooking with it in the kitchen. It now towers above all other parched pretenders. Water, who needs it?
You know it's a drought when enough of your garden is arid that the cat decides it's safe to take advantage....
You know it's a drought when enough of your garden is arid that the cat decides it's safe to take advantage....
Inevitability
Expert Member
Almost 3 months since I last posted!
So after I went on holiday, my garden was a disaster...
Cucumber plants all dead, lettuce all dead, arugula all dead, coriander all dead, and none of the marigold seeds sprouted.
But...
Some of the Jalapeno plants survived and were putting out flowers. I eventually even got 2 chillis out of them. But then they suffered for a while. So after that I decided to chop off any flowers until the plants grow to a decent size and are looking more strong.
But the biggest surprise of all is that somehow, in a neglected corner of the garden, something was growing that I didn't even plant. I don't even know how it got there. I present to you cherry tomatoes! (see below)
Rough count ... about 100 of them growing on the vines now.
I tied them up cos the vines were tangling with each other on the ground.
In Islam we say "Subhaanallaah" at such things
So after I went on holiday, my garden was a disaster...
Cucumber plants all dead, lettuce all dead, arugula all dead, coriander all dead, and none of the marigold seeds sprouted.
But...
Some of the Jalapeno plants survived and were putting out flowers. I eventually even got 2 chillis out of them. But then they suffered for a while. So after that I decided to chop off any flowers until the plants grow to a decent size and are looking more strong.
But the biggest surprise of all is that somehow, in a neglected corner of the garden, something was growing that I didn't even plant. I don't even know how it got there. I present to you cherry tomatoes! (see below)
Rough count ... about 100 of them growing on the vines now.
I tied them up cos the vines were tangling with each other on the ground.
In Islam we say "Subhaanallaah" at such things
cerebus
Honorary Master
Our garden is really suffering with the watering restrictions. I'm just trying to maintain the fresh herbs - origanum/marjoram, thyme, sage, parsley, rosemary, spinach, curry tree, coriander, fennel, dill, basil, chives, lemon balm and tarragon.
I don't know if this was posted: https://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/679537-Gardening-thread