GARDEN RAISED BED #3 AND MORE...

"Gardening 102"

Garden Raised Bed #3  "Spring 2015"
May 25, 2015

The temperatures has been rising in high 80s this past weekend.  It was a nice three day weekend due to Memorial Day holiday.  We love three day weekends.  I took advantage to work on the backyard again and just about done with the planting.  I just have to transfer the swiss chard and broccoli seedlings once they are capable to stand the outside world.

I wanted another raised bed.  I know... I know... I have too many plants.  But these plants are super beneficial and cost effective too!  Planting/Gardening is a hobby for me to relieve my stress, get some needed exercise, and it's a mediation as well.  "When the body is at ease, the mind is at ease."

Last month I ordered a 42 in. by 42 in. garden raised bed kit from Home Depot at a clearance sale price of $29.98.  Who would pass a price on that?!  Yesterday I finally was able to assemble this raised bed kit.  It took me five minutes to assembly but practically the whole day yesterday to organize and fill the bed.  The weather was super hot (hot as hell) but I wanted to get all the plants out in the ground and outside as early as possible since we are limited to the warm weather. 

simple and ease to assembly
(no instructions were in the box)

a perfect fit

laid out my weed blocker cover

added the raised bed frame on top

added organic soil, peat moss, garden lime, and garden tone

started my dimensional measurements
(this raised bed I wanted organization)

box formation
(better and clearer)

plant away

1st row across:  Rosemary, Marigold, Thai Basil & Cayenne Pepper, Hydrangea
2nd row across:  Marigold & Lacinato Kale, Purple Basil, Vacant (not filled), Sage
3rd row across:  Marigold & Radicchio, Lemon Thyme, Thai Basil & Marigold, Lacinato Kale
4th row across:  Marigold & Yellow Sweet Pepper, Radicchio, Little Finger Eggplant, Stevia & Marigold

Garden Tip:  Plant perennials.  "The Gift that Keeps Giving.  Year after Year."

I had planted these in pot containers...

Blackberry Plant
May 25, 2015

You cannot have a summer with cucumbers and berries!

Cucumber Plant
May 25, 2015

Also, I planted geraniums and snow pea seeds in containers.  (see top picture next to 3rd raised bed)

Updates:  As of May 24 & 25, 2015

Golden Cayenne Peppers Blooming
May 24, 2015

Meyer Lemons Growing
May 24, 2015

Japanese Mustard Greens
May 24, 2015

Two of my tomato plants are struggling.  Under distress.

had to put a stake to hold up the poor thing
San Marzano Tomato Plant
May 24, 2015

another tomato plant not happy
May 24, 2015

As you can see you do not need a green thumb to be a gardener.  Many plants will not make it and some will.  I believe it's trial and error.  You won't know unless you try it.

                                                                                  Enjoy gardening!

IT'S THAT WONDERFUL TIME

"Planting"

 

 



Reaping the benefits

 

 

     It's the time of season to start prepping to  "reaping in the benefits."   Hopefully, some of you already started.  I started prepping in March but I feel it's a late start because by this time seedlings should be good to go for transplanting.  The east coast went through a brutal winter.  We were still battling frost into April.  East coast weather is not quite steady as of yet - rising and dipping into high 80s and low 50s.  I was hoping in getting a good start this year but once again Mother Nature had her way.  Last year crops was not the best as previous summers but I got a little something. (will post last year's benefits soon)

 

Let's get started (better late than never)...

 

 

First stage in the prepping

1. Invest in carton or pot.  You can use egg cartons, milk or juice cartons, or toilet paper rolls.
2. Purchase good soil.
3. Moisten soil with water.
4. Sprinkle some of your seeds.
5. Cover with plastic wrap.
6. Place in a sunny window.
7. Seedlings need warmth.

Temperature has to be right

  

What am I growing this year Summer 2014? (Hoping for a strong survival of seedlings)

 

• Lacinato Kale
• String Beans
• Broccoli
• Cilantro
• Sweet Red Peppers
• Yellow Tomatoes
•  Mustard Greens
• Beets
• Radicchio
• Bitter Melon
• Carnival Mix Sweet Peppers
• Marigold



Second stage - Waiting Time



*** Update  took over a month and no sign of growth.  (got worried my green thumb was failing me) Then I added a little more seeds on top of the soil, kept it moist, and covered. Then finally we started to get a burst of warm weather hitting my windowsill.  I moved the seedlings from on top of the covered sun room radiator to the bay windowsills.

 

There is LIFE!

 

A burst of GROWTH!!
May 11, 2014

                                                                             Patience is a virtue!


ONE'S PRIDE AND JOY...

 

"Papaya"



"Granddad"
 

     Juicer Khali is back and she brought along Granddad!  Khali and Granddad "Mr. Jefferson" has a message for everyone. 

     "Stand and Be Proud of what you have accomplished and teach what you know."



Papaya Education 101
Another example of
"If you lead, others will follow"

 

      It's Juicing Tuesday!  What are you juicing?  I hope something nutritional and new.  Remember to kick up a notch on utilizing other vegetables and fruits that you've never experience in eating.  It's very important to have an open mind and "belly" in learning about the various exotic foods that are at one's reach.  So, be creative!

 

     Papaya is an excellent choice of fruit to eat for the following reasons:

(The flesh is orange in color with pink or yellow hues with a soft consistency, sweet and musky taste.  The seeds are edible!)

• Promotes a healthy digestive system
• Prevent Prostate cancer
• Protects against Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Anti-inflammatory effects
• Immune support
• Protection against Macular Degeneration
• Antioxidants
• Boost Male Virility
• Prevents Premature aging
• Detox
• Good for the Heart - Potassium
• Low in calories
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• B complex

       Papaya is well known in Thai dishes - green papaya salad.  Papaya is native to Central America.

To achieve the fullest antioxidants eat the papaya when it is fully ripened.  Papayas that are partially yellow should be left at room temperature - a few days it will ripened.

 



"My pride and joy of prosperous organic non-GMO PAPAYAS!"

 

                  Love what you do and be proud of your accomplishments

                                                                                                


 



WHAT A BEAUTY TO BE THE 100TH POST

"Patience Is A Virtue"

A Pineapple Flower
July 27, 2013

Five years for a flower to appear

     What a wonderful surprised to have found this on July 20, 2013...

     It takes 100 or more separate flower buds to grow into a pineapple.  Many more months for it to develop into a full pineapple.

     In order for flower buds to appear in the center heart of the plant it has to be at a mature stage like this...

A Mature Pineapple Plant

     

     This grew from a mother plant.  I had bought a pineapple plant with a small pineapple attached to it from Costco five years ago.  The mother plant and pineapple died and a sucker shoot developed.  It kept growing and growing.  Last year I had finally repotted the plant into this big pot.  As you can see, in the left side column an old picture and the location I kept it.  Then, last year I made changes and moved it to the other side of sunroom in another sunny corner with a better pot to grow.  Last summer 2012 I was thinking about forcing the plant to pollinate since it was four years and nothing was happening just long sharp leaves kept developing.  I decided I would just let it be and wait it out.  Thank God I did otherwise I wouldn't have been so excited and shock when I stumbled upon the "wonderful surprise" when closing the window near it.  PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE.

     Once I saw the flower bud in the center, days later I decided to move the pineapple outside in the backyard for a nice summer vacation.  I'm glad I did because the flower buds enjoyed the nice HOT HUMID NEW YORK WEATHER (heat wave on the east coast).

July 25, 2013

July 27, 2012

     How's my pineapple plant doing now?  As of today, it's OFFICIALLY OUT!

August 4, 2013

     Mother Nature sure knows what she is doing.  A great enjoyment to see up close how the stages of such, a healing fruit can be developed without living in a tropical hot climate.  Many beautiful plants, edible or non-edible, can grow healthy indoors.  Do not be discourage and do not assume you need to be an "experienced green thumb" person.  I wasn't and look at what I got.

*UPDATE

August 24, 2013

September 22, 2013

A pineapple plant produces only one flower and one pineapple fruit. Once the first pineapple produces, the mother plant will give ratoons or suckers off springs before it dies. 

 

October 14, 2013
*The propagation process has begun - peeking out is a slip.


A second or third fruit grows off the side shoots of the mother plant called "ratoons."

October 14, 2013
*Beginning of propagation - a ratoon (sucker) peeking through.
<A 2nd pineapple plant emerging>

A mother plant can produce multiple suckers.  There are four types of planting materials:  the crown, slips and hapas (appears to rise at the stalk below of the fruit), suckers develop along the bases of the leaves, and ratoons arise at underground portions of the stems.

 

                               Live Life and Enjoy Mother Nature's Beauty

           

                                                                                                                   Namaste 

IF YOU LEAD, OTHERS WILL FOLLOW

 

"If you are planning for a year, sow rice; if you are planning for a decade; plant trees; if you are planning for a lifetime, educate people"

                                                                                                                                                                               Chinese Proverb

 

 

  

 

Nephew wanted to take charge

     If you let kids help, they will learn a valuable lesson and be more appreciative.

Planted a scallion

     When you purchase some produce with roots still attached, such as, herbs, leeks, scallions, and spinach keep them in a cup of water.  It helps them stay green and alive. 





Keeping the scallions alive and green

     Live the natural alternative life. 
                                                        
                                                          Take the time to live life, be happy, and be appreciative.


                                                                                                     Namaste



PREPPING TO REAP THE BENEFITS FOR SUMMER 2013

"Repotting and Planting Starter Seeds"

"Starter Seed Pots"

     This past Sunday I got up bright and early to start prepping my seeds to get a jump start for my annual veggie, fruit, and herbal gardening.  Basically, kicking my "Green Thumb" into full gear to get a head start in growing produce for this upcoming summer.  It maybe a late start in growing by seeds but the East coast is still going through cold temperatures in 40s so I cannot grow anything outside as of yet.  I have to start indoors. 

     Well, what am I growing for this summer?

Shopping Starter List

Miracle Gro Organic Choice potting soil

Miracle Gro Perlite (normally I use Peat Moss but Home Depot was sold out for a small bag)

Miracle Gro Cactus, Palm, & Citrus Soil

Mini Shovel

Eggshells

Packet seeds

Planting pots or milk cartons
                        

*Thoroughly wash all pots, cartons, and shovels.

Tip:  Look for pots that has drainage holes.
Unfortunately, the blue pot had no hole.  My brother had a hard time drilling a hole - one of my pots cracked in half.
 



 I bought two cactus plants from Phoenix, AZ and I repotted this one...

Devils Tongue Barrel Cactus Strawflower
"Ferocactus Latispinus"

 Seeds

Organic sweet pepper (carnival mix), Cilantro, Swiss chard (bright light, rainbow), and Radicchio

(I have a whole lot of packet seeds but for now I am using these as my starter.  Plus, I ran out of plant pots.) 
 



I choose those seeds to grow because I like eating and cooking them.  Also, these items are expensive in the store.

Tip:  Grow produce you and your family love eating.  Grow produce that you find are expensive to buy in the store.  It will cut the cost of your grocery bill.

Soil

Make sure you purchase moisture control soil and organic.  Mix either peat moss or perlite in the soil.

I like to sprinkle crushed eggshells on top of soil.  This will help nurture the soil and plant.  Plus, slugs do not like crawling on them too!  Always wear gloves to protect your hands.

Tip:  When using eggshells make sure you thoroughly wash out the shells and let it air dry.  Then crush them.

Eco-Friendly way...

 

You don't have to use plant pots to start your starters.  You can use milk cartons!  Make sure you thoroughly wash (with soap) the carton just like you would do with plant pots.  To avoid contamination.

 

Alternative way to go

Cut out half of the carton.  Then puncture a hole at the bottom for drainage.

 

Then add the soil...

Coriander
"Cilantro"

Sweet Pepper

Place the potted pots in a sunny location.
 

I have to make room in an overcrowded bay windows.  What can I say?  I like gardening and plants.
  

Some of these plants I had for 1-3 years.

I bought the Turkey Fig plant ($14.99) two years ago 2011 from the Union Square Farmers Market NYC.

I had to bring it inside once fall arrived and temperatures dropped.  It came out of dormant this past March.

Turkey Fig had for two years going on three!

Figs are growing!

 

It does take work to maintain healthy plants and fending off insect pests!  But the benefits are great- plants clears toxins from the air, gives off oxygen, edible, and gardening is a perfect alternative to RELIEVE STRESS!

**Future posts I will show you how to build a garden raised bed and show comparison pictures of the produced I had "reaped the benefits" during summer 2011 & summer 2012. (see posting on Backyard for summer 2010)

 

Tip:  Live in a small apartment?  No problem.  Ikea now has a small greenhouse that can be kept on a table.  Check out http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70186603/ 

An example of how to incorporate the greenhouse in your home...
http://changingmymarbles.wordpress.com/2012/07/23/flowers-are-the-sweetest-things-god-ever-made-and-forgot-to-put-a-soul-into-henry-beecher-life-thoughts-1858/ikea-socker-greenhouse-with-african-voilets-2/

 

      As I said before, utilize those windows, terrace, backyards, or roof tops!  You too can reap the benefits as well. 

                                                                                                               Namaste!