halfmoonforever
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Build Earthships. They're cheap to build and is self-sustainable. Renting them out to folks would mean their basic cost of living goes down as well
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Vegetable gardens
- Thread starter Pitbull
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Build Earthships. They're cheap to build and is self-sustainable. Renting them out to folks would mean their basic cost of living goes down as well
Only saw this thread just now,lekke pitbull. As mentioned in the other thread just do a small crop not to spread out for now as WINTER IS COMING,and pretoria the frost is pretty bad right? U going to have to research and read a lot about veggies,but thats what makes it fun,as suggested growingyourgreens.com has a channel on youtube with regular updates.
In pta there are many great shops and online shops that are situated there,so u can easily source non gmo seeds,there is an family company that i remember from online that is there,and there are companies there who do the rockdust,vermiculite,peat moss in big bags which make it cheaper,but still not cheap a product especially peat moss.I would use the peat moss really just in smaller raised beds,peat mos help keep water in,like a sponge basically,keeping the roots wet.
If u have used ordinary seeds dont worry but do look into the non gmo seeds for the next crop that u going to plant in sept/oct.
Soil takes time to build up,it is the most important thing,but u can build it keep that compost pile going,clippings,old veggie storks etc etc. Maybe look into a small garden mulcher,read up on creating composs,it will really help u in saving costs. U dont have to worry about buying all those mentioned soil products now,just get keep working in the manure and u can add your own compost with it later. Like i said soil takes months and years to build.
As others have mentioned plant flowers near the crop,lavender seems to work wonders and it grows easy,bee's love it. And certain veggies help other veggies,but losing crop to bugs will always happen its just nature don't worry there will be plenty to harvest. Plant some cherry tomatoes,my mom basically grows them year round.
It is a massive area that u are farming,its going to take a lot of work,but once it gets going and produces massive amounts of crops u are going to love it,and probably end up becoming a farmer and telling the kids to get on the tractor and start plowing lol
Also get those wormbins going its really fun,and the tea it produces will make those veggies skyrocket,3 plastic tubs ..r200 bux get some worms on gumtree and your set.
Happy farming.
In pta there are many great shops and online shops that are situated there,so u can easily source non gmo seeds,there is an family company that i remember from online that is there,and there are companies there who do the rockdust,vermiculite,peat moss in big bags which make it cheaper,but still not cheap a product especially peat moss.I would use the peat moss really just in smaller raised beds,peat mos help keep water in,like a sponge basically,keeping the roots wet.
If u have used ordinary seeds dont worry but do look into the non gmo seeds for the next crop that u going to plant in sept/oct.
Soil takes time to build up,it is the most important thing,but u can build it keep that compost pile going,clippings,old veggie storks etc etc. Maybe look into a small garden mulcher,read up on creating composs,it will really help u in saving costs. U dont have to worry about buying all those mentioned soil products now,just get keep working in the manure and u can add your own compost with it later. Like i said soil takes months and years to build.
As others have mentioned plant flowers near the crop,lavender seems to work wonders and it grows easy,bee's love it. And certain veggies help other veggies,but losing crop to bugs will always happen its just nature don't worry there will be plenty to harvest. Plant some cherry tomatoes,my mom basically grows them year round.
It is a massive area that u are farming,its going to take a lot of work,but once it gets going and produces massive amounts of crops u are going to love it,and probably end up becoming a farmer and telling the kids to get on the tractor and start plowing lol
Also get those wormbins going its really fun,and the tea it produces will make those veggies skyrocket,3 plastic tubs ..r200 bux get some worms on gumtree and your set.
Happy farming.
Pitbull
Verboten
As promised these photos are a few days old now and and they much bigger. Even the Squashes have now came out.
IziWhatNow
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Hi guys,
Complete newbie here!
A few months ago I started with a few veggie seedlings just to experiment (and see if I enjoy tending a veggie garden).
I planted peppers, spinach, strawberries and cherry tomato seedlings directly into the ground. This was end November.
We had water restrictions and a very hot & dry summer, so they suffered a bit. Growth was slow and insects or birds terrorized my veggie patch.
Few weeks ago I decided to transplant what was left (only peppers, strawberries & spinach) into pots, which allowed me to move it into a cooler part of the garden during the hot months, and move it to the stoep when the winter freeze comes, and finally to water it better.
I've used potting soil and compost for the pots. Also bought the fish fertilizer which I'll administer about every 6 weeks.
Here is my biggest spinach plant which is still too small to harvest (I guess)
You'll notice the leaves have some damage - I'm not sure if this is caused by bugs or birds?
Also, you'll see some small tomato seedlings coming up on the sides. This was an experiment to see how easy tomato seeds grow from a slice of fresh tomato (very easy!). I'll transplant them when they're bigger.
And here are my peppers, also too small to harvest
You'll notice similar leave damage.
The strawberry plants are still alive, although not bearing fruit currently (not in season)
A few more questions:
What can I do to accelerate growth further? These plants are almost 5 months old already!
Should the peppers, spinach and strawberries be able to survive the winter?
I also want to plant onion and swiss chard seeds. Is this a good time of the year?
When is the spinach ready to harvest?
Any advice appreciated as always!
Complete newbie here!
A few months ago I started with a few veggie seedlings just to experiment (and see if I enjoy tending a veggie garden).
I planted peppers, spinach, strawberries and cherry tomato seedlings directly into the ground. This was end November.
We had water restrictions and a very hot & dry summer, so they suffered a bit. Growth was slow and insects or birds terrorized my veggie patch.
Few weeks ago I decided to transplant what was left (only peppers, strawberries & spinach) into pots, which allowed me to move it into a cooler part of the garden during the hot months, and move it to the stoep when the winter freeze comes, and finally to water it better.
I've used potting soil and compost for the pots. Also bought the fish fertilizer which I'll administer about every 6 weeks.
Here is my biggest spinach plant which is still too small to harvest (I guess)
You'll notice the leaves have some damage - I'm not sure if this is caused by bugs or birds?
Also, you'll see some small tomato seedlings coming up on the sides. This was an experiment to see how easy tomato seeds grow from a slice of fresh tomato (very easy!). I'll transplant them when they're bigger.
And here are my peppers, also too small to harvest
You'll notice similar leave damage.
The strawberry plants are still alive, although not bearing fruit currently (not in season)
A few more questions:
What can I do to accelerate growth further? These plants are almost 5 months old already!
Should the peppers, spinach and strawberries be able to survive the winter?
I also want to plant onion and swiss chard seeds. Is this a good time of the year?
When is the spinach ready to harvest?
Any advice appreciated as always!
Last edited:
AstroTurf
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Image 1: Holes could be anything from wind damage (hitting the wall) to bugs.
Image 2: Little holes likely bugs, leaves curling: not enough Phosphorous and caclium/magnesium (may also be too much, you have potting soil (nutrients added) compost (nutrients) and are adding seagro (nutrients).
Yellowing: Nitrogen, the little plant does not look like it has enough space to grow/competing with the big plant.
Image 2: Little holes likely bugs, leaves curling: not enough Phosphorous and caclium/magnesium (may also be too much, you have potting soil (nutrients added) compost (nutrients) and are adding seagro (nutrients).
Yellowing: Nitrogen, the little plant does not look like it has enough space to grow/competing with the big plant.
Depends where u live CPT is very different from PTA/Durban. Plants can get a "shock" when re planted,seeing u are in pots now,plant some herbs rather now,basil,oregano u get different types of basil and Making pesto is easy. Check on some south african seed sites for a season calender. "Holes" in veggies,is almost always snails,especially potted veggies,they come out at night and the morning u see the havoc. So go for some herbs now,good time to plant before winter is upon us. If someone wants to start out i would almost always say grow herbs first.
AstroTurf
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I put a seasonal calendar up for the whole of South Africa, by region
CPT green fingers,apply for free composting bin
http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/Solidwaste2/Pages/Home-composting-application-forms.aspx
http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/Solidwaste2/Pages/Home-composting-application-forms.aspxIziWhatNow
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Last week I planted a few onion seeds from Mayford. Today I noticed this warning in red text at the back of the packet:
What gives??
What gives??
IziWhatNow
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CPT green fingers,apply for free composting bin
For those not in CT, there is a similar composter available from Makro
https://www.makro.co.za/sports-and-outdoor/first-dutch-brands-220l-composter-221593EA
The seeds are treated, probably coated in some fertilizer/growing aid. Good to plant, but not good to eat (directly).
This is quite visible on corn seeds, they are blue or pink.
This is quite visible on corn seeds, they are blue or pink.
I saw a client use fencing to cover veggies that grow about 50 cm to a metre. The wire is about 3-5mm thick and very sturdy. Then cover with a net that is the percentage shading required. The fencing come in 2m high by 6m long rolls at building suppliers that you can cut and bend to shape. I can take pics on Thursday if anyone is interested:Damn, that's pretty ingenious.
Mine is way too big. I was thinking of putting those shade netting all over it but will require me building a massive steel frame first. So that will have to wait till I have harvested my current vegetables (If they grow that is)
cupcake
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It's normally a antifungal coating and prevents the seedling from becoming diseased.
Pitbull
Verboten
Wow, the Garden is taking shape now.
My method of seeding wasn't the correct one and it's clearly showing now. I will need to replant most of them. Will update with photos tomorrow. The feeling of walking into the garden every morning seeing my handy work is just so fulfilling. I would advise each and everyone to start a vegetable garden.
O slightly on topic:
I have now seen random onions springing up all over the garden. I think it might have been seeds left in the ground by the previous owner. At first thought it was grass, turned out I now have random onions growing all over my beddings
My method of seeding wasn't the correct one and it's clearly showing now. I will need to replant most of them. Will update with photos tomorrow. The feeling of walking into the garden every morning seeing my handy work is just so fulfilling. I would advise each and everyone to start a vegetable garden.
O slightly on topic:
I have now seen random onions springing up all over the garden. I think it might have been seeds left in the ground by the previous owner. At first thought it was grass, turned out I now have random onions growing all over my beddings
Nice, feeding your family with organic food u have grown is the way to go. Should post some pics,what is the size of your growing area. For the spring season,U should try and make rows that are 75cm wide with a 20 cm gap in between to seperate the beds. then u can make 4 rows inside each bed. Thats the way its usually done,when harvesting u can easily stand across the beds,and walk between them.Wow, the Garden is taking shape now.
My method of seeding wasn't the correct one and it's clearly showing now. I will need to replant most of them. Will update with photos tomorrow. The feeling of walking into the garden every morning seeing my handy work is just so fulfilling. I would advise each and everyone to start a vegetable garden.
O slightly on topic:
I have now seen random onions springing up all over the garden. I think it might have been seeds left in the ground by the previous owner. At first thought it was grass, turned out I now have random onions growing all over my beddings
I was advised that Marigolds were a pest repellent. However having planted a few they have quickly been decimated. I'm not sure by what though but it seems the stem under the flowerhead just gives in. I'm not seeing any other signs of damage.
Any idea on what it could be and what methods could be used to prevent this happening again? My other plants have been unaffected so far but I doubt they'd last long if whatever has targeted the Marigolds turns it attention to them
Any idea on what it could be and what methods could be used to prevent this happening again? My other plants have been unaffected so far but I doubt they'd last long if whatever has targeted the Marigolds turns it attention to them
My research also pointed to marigolds atracting beneficial insects .
Maybe check the soil for cutworm or similar
