Vegetable gardens

[Kosmik]

Ahhh forgot about this thread. And I have some cool pics, excuse the garden, not perfect but growing

Cherry tomatoes



Normal tomatoe bush that exploded into a massive thing, with lots of flowers now but here is the bush and the single one growing at the moment





Those were both grown from seeds. The long stem next to the bush is actually on of my swiss chards that is germinating into seeds and flowers. The leaves are at the base and if you look at the one behind, thats how it looked a week before and then this stem suddenly shot up and budded.

We have a small patch of swiss chard, butter lettuce and rubarb growing as well, these were grown from potted seedlings bought.



And our first harvest of the leafy greens, about 10-12 leaves of chard and six of the butter lettuce, still lots left growing, picking as we need.



And yes, they were well washed before eating. Note no pesticides etc were used at all.

Not in pics, is a small chilli bush growing in the same pot behind the cherry tomatoes and behind the main tomatoe bush are two green pepper plants. One had a pepper and then monkeys at it. Probably my biggest issue right now is monkeys, already ate four of my cherry tomatoes. I've also planted a large patch of cabbages although I did it badly by sprinkling seeds. Now they all cropped up and fighting each other so may have to transfer to small trays, literally 10's to maybe a hundred.

 

[maumau]

Heirloom seedlings are now available from lifestyle nursery and gardenshop nurseries.

Grabbed some last weekend.

 

[IziWhatNow]

The site hasn't been updated for a couple of years but the basics are solid: http://sfgsa.co.za/

Thanks, that's a good resource. I see they recommend the soil to be a mixture of peat moss, vermiculite and compost. Do nurseries usually stock those first two in South Africa? What's the common name? I've never heard of it other than on international sites

 

[rrh]

Thanks, that's a good resource. I see they recommend the soil to be a mixture of peat moss, vermiculite and compost. Do nurseries usually stock those first two in South Africa? What's the common name? I've never heard of it other than on international sites

Both are available locally: unfortunately (in this case) Google is your friend.

 

[Zarkon]

Thanks, that's a good resource. I see they recommend the soil to be a mixture of peat moss, vermiculite and compost. Do nurseries usually stock those first two in South Africa? What's the common name? I've never heard of it other than on international sites

Pakka where are u located? Yes we get it,peat moss not so much really,very scarce . U can use coco coir it works exactly like peat moss and its cheaper,and a better enviromental product. For your beds outside u don't really need vermiculite or pearlite,yes u can add it. It's more of a seed starting mix for seedlings,just add really good compost to your soil.

As for the wood,i built my mom 2 years ago raised beds made from pallets and it's still 100. Just go to a hardware store and line the inner with black plastic on the sides,use a staple gun easy peasy.

The depth of vegetables doesn't root that very deep 30 cm is what needs to be good soil. U can fill your beds to the top,its better to buy at a compost facility,bags will work out very expensive. U will need about half a cube maybe more. Half cube is usually 250-450 and u can have it delivered,that's the benefit.

Soil mix,if u can get vermiculite,perlite,lime or rock dust(rock dust is the same as lime) they market rock dust as something awesome,when it's 99% lime. SO add those things after u added the compost and work it into the top 15cm layer of your soil.

When u added the compost let it sit for a week before u plant into it. It's just so that the micro organism can establish a little bit,never till the bed over with a fork,it destroys them. U can put the fork in and just give a little forward and backward motion to loosen it up every time u plant something new,but don't till it.

EDIT: Just to add Vermiculite and pearlite is not a nutrient,it's helps with retaining water and allowing "air" into the soil.

 

[Zarkon]

@kosmik

nice i like that people garden even if it's just one or two things they are growing,they are doing it,that's what matters.

 

[Beachless]

Thanks, that's a good resource. I see they recommend the soil to be a mixture of peat moss, vermiculite and compost. Do nurseries usually stock those first two in South Africa? What's the common name? I've never heard of it other than on international sites

You can also look for pratliperl which is a locally made perlite.

 

[IziWhatNow]

Thanks for the tips guys.

I see Livingseeds sell their own germination mix:

Our mix is made up the following. Organic Compost, Coco-peat, Vermiculite, Perlite, Kraal Manure.

This sounds pretty much like the ideal soil needed for square foot gardening?
EDIT: Oh i see, its very expensive. R35 for 1.5kg bag

 

[schuits]

My aquaponics 'vegetable garden' shortly after it was constructed.
The cauliflowers frekked just after sprouting heads for some reason. The rosemary, lettuce and bok choy is doing well.
So are the 9 koi in the bottom.

 

[Beachless]

Thanks for the tips guys.

I see Livingseeds sell their own germination mix:

This sounds pretty much like the ideal soil needed for square foot gardening?
EDIT: Oh i see, its very expensive. R35 for 1.5kg bag

Dont stress too much its actually not hard to grow veggies and herbs. Just buy some good topsoil and add about 30% good quality compost.

I even had to pull out some lettuce and rocket that have sprouted in my lawn from last years crop that seeded all over the place.

Water and good sun is the most important part of growing veggies.

 

[T-Man]

View attachment 386900

My aquaponics 'vegetable garden' shortly after it was constructed.
The cauliflowers frekked just after sprouting heads for some reason. The rosemary, lettuce and bok choy is doing well.
So are the 9 koi in the bottom.

I see you even have a Flying Fish?

 

[schuits]

haha well spotted!

 

[Cpt.SpAce.Cowboy]

How is Living Seeds?

I have bought seeds from another place before, but half of the seeds did't germinate...

 

[AstroTurf]

How is Living Seeds?

I have bought seeds from another place before, but half of the seeds did't germinate...

Yea not hermetically sealed (they sell seeds ea or 10 or 5 is a good indication) it's pot luck.

 

[IziWhatNow]

Guys so I dismantled those wooden beds I posted earlier to rather build 4 raised beds for square foot gardening.

Each of those are 5x2.Im only planting in the one for now.

May I just say that good soil is flippen expensive! One 5x2 bed took 2x potting soil, 1x herbs potting mix, 1x compost and I added some vermiculite and perlite. And the beds isn't even full yet.

 

[Lupus]

All my vegetables have died thanks to winter and the drought even grass has gone brown.

 

[Zarkon]

Guys so I dismantled those wooden beds I posted earlier to rather build 4 raised beds for square foot gardening.

Each of those are 5x2.Im only planting in the one for now.

May I just say that good soil is flippen expensive! One 5x2 bed took 2x potting soil, 1x herbs potting mix, 1x compost and I added some vermiculite and perlite. And the beds isn't even full yet.

Expensive when u buy it in small bags,which i mentioned u shouldn't do. Maybe u missed my post earlier today

 

[rrh]

How is Living Seeds?

I have bought seeds from another place before, but half of the seeds did't germinate...

Excellent service.

They also sell a limited range of seedlings that they pack & courier: I have just purchased a trial order.

 

[Alan]

Anyone know why broccoli stems split? Only answer I've found online is the plant supposedly growing too quickly

http://www.abc.net.au/site-archive/rural/news/content/200907/s2637405.htm

Flowering head is doing fine though

 

[Cpt.SpAce.Cowboy]

Excellent service.

They also sell a limited range of seedlings that they pack & courier: I have just purchased a trial order.

Thanks!

I like to plant "weird" stuff you don't get easily! Like the strawberry popcorn etc. I tried coffee beans once, but the seeds I got was terrible...it looked like old lightly roasted ones lol (this was from the other online store) But I think I will give Living Seeds a try!