IT'S GREEN DAY @ my garden journal

Moon calander 2010

2010-01-11T17:35:00.000-08:00

I have done these 2 charts for the first 6 months of lunar gardening.

For those who are on the warm side of north America these will get you started.

I am in Missouri So I will start planting seeds indoors soon.
But we have been having sub zero temps.
So I did not even give a thought About the garden till I got and email.
Thanks for the reminder !
This is a basic planting guide it is color coded to tell you which form of plant to start.
The black above the color represents good days for transplanting.
I have not had time to do moon phases.
I am recovering from shingles.
This has taken a bite out of my energy.
So I hope I will be well enough to garden this year.

If you need the moon or zodiac signs click here for a north America calendar.

I have loofahs !

2009-09-02T00:39:00.000-07:00

I did not think this would happen. But I have gigantic loofahs.

This is only 1 plant that did all this.

They will be used as a bath or kitchen sponge after being processed

Calling it quits.

2009-07-20T02:05:00.000-07:00

With the new moon showing up tomorrow. It is best not to plant. Get your garden ready to plant fall crop and get pest issues under control. Thursday will be a good day to start planting seed.

I do not think I will be planting a fall crop.
The weather has cooled of here in July. This is not normal.
My crop is failing this year so I think I will just try to maintain what I have.

This Minnesota midget melon is looking good.

But this one has splits.

My first ripe tomato has blossom end rot. And my cherry tomatoes are cracking.
I hope others are having better success than I. Please tell me how your garden is doing.

Feast or famine

2009-07-15T02:13:00.000-07:00

This years rain has recked havoc on the garden.
Some of the tomato leaves have returned to yellow with spots.
Some leaves have wilted and turned brown.
This is blight. Caused by to much rain.
The news going around calls is "late blight." Even though it is early in the season.
I have fought and though I won this battle in spring.
The tomato plants are over 5 ft tall with fruit developing.
Now look.

I have been pulling leaves and disposing of them.
I have mulch on the ground. But I think I need an umbrella over them to keep them dry.
The cauliflower has so many holes .

The cabbage butterfly moth has had lunch.It is circled in red.

Along with this the caterpillars. and all his friends.

the is no hope for the leaves to cover the heads

This is my potato harvest for today.

On the brighter side. The mushrooms look enchanting.

Todays harvest.

Tomorrows hope is a organic mix of 1 garlic bulb boiled in 1 quart water for 20 minutes. 1 teaspoon red pepper and some ivory soap. To to make a home make insect repellent. Wish me luck.

Full moon lunar eclipse

2009-07-07T08:29:00.000-07:00

Tonight we will have a full moon.
Native Americans kept track of the seasons by giving distinctive names to the recurring full Moons
This month has several names
Full Buck Moon, Because bucks begin to grow new antlers at this time.
Thunder Moon, because thunderstorms are so frequent during this month.
Hay Moon, for the July hay harvest.
Corn moon, a Cherokee name.

Things to do.
It is best not to plant today but to control weeds.
Do something to help heal the earth.
Light a white candle today for peace and healing of the earth.
Make a commitment to live a greener life.
Prepare your soil or containers for the fall garden.
As it it time for roots to do be planted the next couple days.
Get ready to start your new seeds.
Enjoy life today. Celebrate the wonderful world we live in.

A penumbral lunar eclipse will take place today on July 7, 2009, the second of four lunar eclipses in 2009. This eclipse will only enter the southern most tip of the penumbral shadow and thus will be very difficult to observe visually. Read moor about it at wickpedia.
A lunar eclipse is an eclipse which occurs whenever the moon passes behind the earth such that the earth blocks the sun's rays from striking the moon.
This months garden
On this Full Moon, the Sun is in watery Cancer opposing the Moon in the feminine earth sign of Capricorn, drawing attention to the need to balance what nurtures us .

Here is a sample of the lunar planting guide I use to grow my garden.

It helps me to plan my July moon planting calendar.

On Wednesday, 2009 July 22, a total eclipse of the Sun read moor at Nasa.
Mythology
Greek moon goddesses

SELENE was the Titan goddess of the moon
Greek goddesses Selene and Phoebe and their Olympian successor Artemis, their Roman equivalents Luna and Diana, or the Thracian Bendis.. The moon was always female while the sun was male named.
Heng-O Chinese Moon Goddess
Tsuki-Yomi Japanese Moon God
Soma The moon god in India

The unveiling

2009-07-05T04:47:00.000-07:00

This has been drying for a couple of days now.
So I flipped it over. it looks great

I am pealing off the hosta leaves to uncover the veins.This will work great with a solar light in the center.

Now to start the base.

I have a recycled cone and news paper will help form the shape.

It will be a few days before this will be done. It is raining here and I need it to be dry to get it started.

Hypertufa

2009-07-02T12:03:00.000-07:00

This is my first hypertufa project.

It will not turn out facing down like you see in the photo.
I will use this one as a cast to get others to face down later.
This will flip over and be a solar light holder and a bird feeder.
Maybe even a bird bath. all in one.
The leaves are from my Kossa regal & sum and substance hosta's
The orange cone will make the mold for the base.

This is the finished product all I have to do now is place the cone on to to indent it and cover it with plastic for a few day, the I can unmold it. and let it cure for a month or so. I had enough left over to make a gnome door and the bottom of a mushroom.
I used 6 16oz drink cups of both sand and Portland cement. 2 cups of peat moss and 3-4 cup water. We will see if I made this to thick. My supply's below cost a total of $41.90. So I will later find out how much this cost me to make. I already had concrete tool. rubber gloves and reused my containers.
Click here to see more recipes and video on how to do this.

July Garden Activities

2009-06-29T05:31:00.000-07:00

Harvest black berry's.
Enjoy fresh salads
Pull up garlic bulbs when the tops start to yellow and dry. Do not wait until the leaves are completely dry or storage life may be shortened
Keep beans, cucumbers and other crops harvested so plants remain productive.

This is the height of weed season. It’s easier to control a small weed than a large weed. Organic or plastic mulches can help you keep weeds under control.
Water you garden as needed. This can be the start of the driest part of summer. Plants need at least one inch of water a week.

Remove any stagnant water to avoid mosquito problems. Consider flowerpots, gutters and birdbaths.

Watch for insect and disease problems with all crops
Watch for tomato hornworm on tomatoes and peppers. Remove by handpicking.
Inspect squash plants for the presence of egg-laying black and red squash vine borer moths. Stems may be protected from egg-laying by wrapping them in foil or old nylon stockings, or by placing a cardboard collar close around the base of plants. Row covers can also provide protection until plants start blooming. Otherwise, dust or spray the bases of plants with organic insecticide to kill hatched larvae before they tunnel into the stems

Side dress vegetables such as corn or tomatoes as they start to set fruit.You can use compost or manure. Coffee grounds, etc.

- Plant fall garden beets, broccoli, beans, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots and cucumbers.

Deadhead perennials as they finish blooming.

Mow high for season. Long grass blades shade the ground and reduce soil water loss.

After strawberry harvest is complete, be sure to renovate the bed by mowing all the tops off, fertilizing and rototill to narrow the rows.

Enjoy the beginning of your your harvest.
BBQ and have fun with the family & friends.

Sit back and enjoy your flower garden

A very hot day

2009-06-23T05:20:00.000-07:00

I have never seen a day start like this one Temp: 91°F Heat Index: 102°F before 7:00 am. It is not the temp as much as is it the moisture in the air. The grass is glistening in the sun as normal but I could not take a photo with out wiping off the lens. Also the purpel martins are missing. Normally by the crack of dawn they are making all kinds of noise. Chirping away and feeding. The windows are all covered like frost in the winter but it is moisture.
Hot out side and cooler inside.

I final have the photos under control wipe and shoot.

This cuke is blooming away.

The cauliflower leavers are getting big but no sign of veggie as yet.

The beans are flowering and healthy

The newest tomato is perked up well in the self watering bucket.

And this hosta is blooming away today

Tiny harvest

2009-06-21T23:14:00.000-07:00

The first day of summer brought in my first harvest.

There is only 2 of us now so this will do.

I will add potatoes and bacon and make this a soup.
I was up all night and waiting for the sun rise on the first day of summer.
I have to learn to rejoice in this event as I am a spring person.
The heat of the summer is hard for me.
So I will try really hard this year to overcome and have fun.

You can see the sparkle of water droplets in the grass tonight.
My cat Reba above was out with me to harvest this morning.
She and Crash in the photo below, are the guardians of the yard.

I am finally learning to take better night photos.
All I did was lighten them up a bit.

I have Loosestrife 'Firecracker' (Lysimachia ciliata 'Firecracker')
It has the yellow flower to the left of the photo.
Center in ball form is Elephant Ear Garlic
Right is Hosta Abiqua Drinking Gourd'

POW WOW photo's

2009-06-21T06:20:00.000-07:00

I was amazed to see a star still visible in the sky at sunrise this morning.

Click on photo's to enlarge.

It is below the top line in the photo.

We joined in on the annual pow wow by my home last night.

My pow wow photo's were a surprise to me.

I have other video's taken with the same camera on my other blog
The empty nester
But they are not so abstract.
These 2 turned out a bit magical looking
Like capturing the spirit of the dance.

They remind me of art rather than blur.

The grass sparkled with droplets of water all night last night.

Deep root watering

2009-06-19T17:38:00.000-07:00

I am going to try to control the water to my tomatoes by Deep root watering spikes.

Maybe this will help control the early blight I have been fighting this spring. And the over watering in my upside down tomatoes.Caused by all the rain we have had.

I have placed them around some of the ones on the ground.

See the withered leaves are from to much water then not enough.

But there is hope. I have my first tomatoes started

An over view of todays garden.

The garden is blooming !

2009-06-11T16:05:00.001-07:00

This is elephant ear garlic getting ready to bloom. Bush bean

Bush bean

Self watering bucket

2009-06-10T13:46:00.000-07:00

I recieved some more tomatoes from my daughter. So I built another self watering container from a food grade bucket and a strainer I bought fo a dollar. I placed 4 screws around the outside to hold the strainer in place. Then inserted the basket and drilled the screws in deeper. I added water to the bucket the organic potting soil.
I removed the bottom leaves as they were dammaged. I placed the plant to the area with the arrow in the photo. This will develope more roots and make the plant healthyer,
I added a top layer of composted manure and filled it to the top with more organig potting mix. I will then cover it with red plastic to hold in the moisture. And add a stake or cage to the top. This will suport the plant as it growes. I drilled a hole about 2 inckes below the screws this will act as an over flow and O will use a bendable funnel to fill the bucked.

The water over flow is at the red arrow.

Todays garden

2009-06-05T10:58:00.000-07:00

Hosta collection

You can see the red is making the plants a bit larger,

Cabbage

Galardia.

Stella De Oreo DayLilly

Ires seed pod.

First Tomato Blooms

2009-06-02T04:03:00.000-07:00

Yellow Pear Cherry Tomato

Brandywine Pink

Sweet 100 Cherry tomato Hybrid

Garden research.

2009-05-30T11:54:00.000-07:00

I am testing colored mulch in my garden this year.
This is my garden today. We finally have sun shine today here in Missouri.

This is my Hillbilly (Flame) tomato in a self watering 5 gallon bucket. I added the red plastic mulch to the top. It will help to conserve watter loss and we will see if the red color will enhance production. Feel free to click on the photos to enlarge for a better view. I am recovering from sinus surgery so my garden is far from complete this year.
There seem to be a difference already The cauliflower on the red side it getting a bit bigger than the silver side
I used aluminum foil on the inside. And silver reflective mulch on both out side edges.I have silver plastic mulch I ordered on the left end and red material on the right.
Peppers in front tomatoes on fence.
The broccoli seem to have small tops. This is caused from heat increasing too soon.
The tomatoes are making a complete recovery from having yellow and damage leaves.
I added more soil and removed all the damaged leaves on the bottom. Then topped it with cypress mulch. Today I added egg shells crushed. This will detour slugs and add calcium to the soil. I snapped off the suckers on the leaves today also. I will be adding a bit of coffee grounds to the soil latter today. They add a bit of fertilizer and deture some animals.
The bush beans are growing by leaps and bounds with no mulch as yet. I will be placing dry grass on them as soon as I can get it done.

June planting calendar

2009-05-27T00:45:00.000-07:00

This is the moon calendar I am using for the month of July 2009
I have color coded it as to fruit flower root & leaf to plant on what day.
on day like the 4 th this day is good for fruit flowers and roots.
on the 13 The ^ root in the morning changing to flower in the evening.
the 18th is leaf am fruit pm.
Refer to my companion guide to see which veggie fall into each category.
Like tomato & corn are fruit.
Trees are planted according to leave, fruit or root.
As in you plant an apple or oak tree in on a fruit day.
Willows on leaf, and maple on root.

Colored mulch 101

2009-05-24T15:57:00.001-07:00

I have decided to experiment with colored mulch this year.
I have both the silver and red plastic. But have not installed it as yet. I used red cloth and tin foil first to see if it works. I have read that the plastic only is usable for 1 season. Which makes it an expensive buy. Also there are more than one brand sold. Some are of better quality than the others. And if we can use our recycling skills we can look around and find things that may work just as well.
The scientific theory behind using red mulch is a specific pigment system in plants (phytochrome) responds to specific red wavelengths of light. If we enhance those wavelengths in the plant canopy, we should be able to change plant growth. Much like the red and blue LCD lights. I read the mulch need to be placed in wide areas around the plat to be affective. As a tray directly under it will not have muck affect if it is covered up by the plant.

research results from studies examining red mulch under tomatoes is very conflicting- in some cases, a yield benefit was observed, in others, no benefit.

Some say you need to use it more in mass on 10 plus plants to see any results.

One University study showed in 1999 no benefit was seen, but in the year 2000 tomatoes and peppers plants mulched with either silver or red mulch set more fruit earlier than those on the other treatments & bore more fruit than plants.
Different tomato varieties also appear to respond differently to the red mulch.
There is also some indication from different trials that red mulch may also be reducing the severity of early blight on tomatoes. Fruit grown on yellow produced the smallest fruit

At this time I have cypress mulch under my tomatoes.
I always use this under flowers in my garden but I am trying it under the tomatoes. And it is helping them to regain health. The was signs of early blight and insect damage. I had yellow leaves. See photos here.

One week ago Saturday I placed the aluminum foil under my cabbage and I already see less bug damage to the new leaves .
silver mulch has s a reflective, silvery sheen. The finish tends to confuse insects, thus discouraging them from attacking the plants. Silver mulch is especially effective against white flies, aphids, and thrips.
I am mixing up the silver and red in the broccoli and cauliflower plants.
I will add red to one tub and silver to the other to see if any help is had.
The asparagus is doing well. by it's self.

Tomatoes with get red and silver to see what works best.

Lettuce is sprouting.

My corn is starting to grow.

I have a blue pool cover and brown tarp I will try on the melons and cukes.

I will try diffrent colors on the bean rows.

University study Notes.
Blue-colored mulch improved yields of zucchini & honeydew.

Muskmelons. Plants (cv. Cordele) grown on green IRT, blue, red, silver mulch produced significantly more fruit (total yield) than plants grown on white mulch. In addition, plants grown on green IRT or blue mulch produced significantly more fruit compared to plants grown on black mulch. Larger fruit was harvested from plants grown on brown IRT mulch and the smallest from plants grown on black mulch.

blue and red, can have a dramatic impact on the soil temperatures, raising soil temperatures to 167o and 168o F, respectively, at the 2-inch depth when the ambient air temperature was 104 o F in Kansas

Mulch Color	Benefits	Best crops
Red	Increase soil temperature, change light quality	Eggplant, tomato, onion, potato
Black	Increase soil temperature	Potato, onion
Blue	Increase soil temperature, change light quality	Cucumber, summer squash, cantaloupe, Muskmelon
silver, Aluminum Reflective	Decrease soil temperature, deters insects	Pepper, onion and potato
Yellow	Attracts insects	Basil grown over yellow and green surfaces produced significantly higher concentrations of aroma compounds .
White	Decrease soil temperature
Brown	Larger fruit	Muskmelons
Clear _______ Green ______ orange	Soil solarization ___________ _______	_______________ Muskmelon _______________ turnips

Links:
University of connecticut

potato tuberproduction can be influenced by colored straw mulches

Colored mulch starves nematodes
(Penn State Center for Plasticulture)
(University of Minnesota)

Cherry tomatoes in my garden

2009-05-18T21:57:00.000-07:00

Yellow Pear Cherry Tomato
Lycopersicon esculentum Indeterminate Heirloom Regular Leaf 1 oz. (70-80 days)
I already have blooms on my plant today. This is a popular mild flavored, pear-shaped fruit that has been grown since the late 1800s Said to be low in acid; crack resistant It should bear clusters of fruits all season long.
Resistant to alternaria stem canker disease. They require substantial caging and/or staking for support Plant 4-6 ft. apart. Bushes can grow up to 8-10 ft tall.
Parts of this plant are poisonous if ingested.

Sweet 100 Hybrid (Lycopersicon lycopersicum) 'Sweet 100' Indeterminate.Regular Leaf multiple-branched clusters of 1/2 inch Cherry tomatoes. 65 day
This is the only Hybrid tomato I have in my garden this year.
American : plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed. Sweet fruit with high vitamin C. Vigorous vines that as said to bear abundantly until frost and need staking for best results. Disease Resistance to Fusarium Wilt , Verticillium Wilt , Root Nematodes , Tobacco Mosaic.
. Sweet 100's grow like crazy regardless of pruning. It is said this can get up to 20 feet tall. This plant takes allot of space.

The Lunar planting calendar for this month is located at the bottom of the page

The garden is growing

2009-05-18T03:07:00.000-07:00

The tomato plants are looking better.

The bush beean are growing

The broccoli .

The cauliflower in front peppers in back.
The cover over the tomatoes is helping.

Looks like a bean plant with the squash.

The zucchini is yellow. It was under water and I replanted it to higher ground.

The Lunar planting calendar for this month is located at the bottom of the page.

Wednesday update

2009-05-13T14:29:00.000-07:00

The over view of my garden for 2009. Please do not mind the weeds I am lucky to get the garden planted this year.
I removed all the lettuce around the tomatoes here to aid in air circulation. I have replanted more in it's place.
I place the lettuce leaves on the sides of the bean crop to decompose and add to compost.
The top of the photo is where I added composted manure top soil peat moss on top of news paper to create a no dig garden for my corn seed I planted yesterday.
On the fence line is melon and cukes
This leave is from my peonies it seems to have early blight, I removed the affected leaves.
We were expecting hail and storms with heave winds yesterday. So I pulled the bad leaves from the tomato on the back fence added composted manure and mulch . In hope of saving the plants I added the soda bottle tops to protect them from more rain.
I places a pallet at a tilt on the fence ,added Plastic in hope of keeping more WATER OFF THE Leaves. This may help save them from early blight.
So far my tomatoes in the up side down containers are the only healthy tomato plants.
The Lunar planting calendar for this month is located at the bottom of the page.

Wilted tomato plant, pest or disease?

2009-05-11T02:26:00.001-07:00

This years garden will be a challenge to fight off pest and disease.

To much rain is the cause of most of this years tomato problems.

Tomatoes like water on the roots not on the leaves.
Because leaves need to be able to evaporate water to pull more up from the roots

See the withered leaves are from to much water then not enough.

tomatoes need about 1 inch of water per week 3-5 gallons of water per plant. With the the summer heat , they need 11/2 to 2 inches per week. If the roots are shallow the plant will likely dry out faster (causing wilting). Watering once every 2-3 days is a good idea. By using a stick to check the depth 8-12 inches deep is about right where the water should reach.
Anoth cause of wilting is Fusarium and Verticillium Wilts
Is a soil borne fungus, the first symptom is wilting during the hottest part of the day, along with lots of yellow leaves. There is no cure for this .

So this was not the reason for this one plant to wilt.
hot, humid weather could have done this too. As the plant has now recovered.
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This plant is a diffrent story

Septoria Leaf Spot of Tomato
And or

With all the rain I think I may have early blight,

The leaves are turning yellow. Spots and holes are on some leaves.
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This is both pest and disease caused by aphids and ants.

But the leaves are damaged

Then to top it off the soil under one of the tomatoes has more ants than soil. So is this a insect problem? Or a disease? Or all of them? I would say All !
1. over-watering, which causes blight. Is the main reason.
2. Ants are the 2nd reason. They are attracted to aphids.
Which contributed to the disease of the plant.

Water only the bases of your tomato plants, and try to water in the morning. Plants sitting in dampness overnight may become more susceptible to blight. But this in my case is too much rain. All I can do is make an umbrella for them with soda bottles for the small ones and plastic tarps for the bigger ones.

Ants and Aphids Usually an ant problem is a symptom of an aphid infestation.
aphids suck plant juices from leaves, stems and fruit. They cause distorted and stunted growth as well as discoloring and wilting. They are also vectors for virus diseases. They attract ants, bees, wasps and flies because of the production of honeydew. Ants farm them and protect them from predators for food.
Link to more information on aphids

What I did to stop the damage.

I did not like to do it but I added seven dust to the ground for a day . Then removed the top soil and replaced it with fresh clean soil. removed all the damaged leaves and covered the plant higher with soil and cypress mulch. This made a big improvement to the plants health. When it rains, I covered them with plastic this also helped to protect them from too much water on the plant leaf.

Click here for an update.
The plants are doing better now.

More rain

2009-05-08T15:06:00.001-07:00

Another 2 inches of rain fell since yesterday. My squash are under water.

The asparagus is doing well with the tomato in the self watering container. But the tomato is still a bit yellow.

This tomato plant is showing signs of disease or pest.

The Lunar planting calendar for this month is located at the bottom of the page.

Why are the leaves turning yellow?

2009-05-06T20:09:00.000-07:00

Here is a look at the garden today.

Allot of the plants are turning Yellow. So I applied some Epsom salts around them to see if this will green them up a bit. I found that to much or to little water can be the cause of the yellow leafs. Also temperature change . We have had too much water the last week or so. And temps up and down. Also this could be a lack of nitrogen or iron. As to much rain could have washed all the minerals or nutrients out of the soil. You may click on photos to enlarge.

The bottom photo is 2 days later. The new growth is greener.
After the Epsom salts. We have had 2 more inches of rain though.

These 2 photos are melons and cukes

You may ask why the clover is in the above photo. It is a good source of nitrogen so I let it grow freely and pull it to add to the soil.

The new pepper plans are looking well so far.

The Lunar planting calendar for this month is located at the bottom of the page.

How to find the right sign

2009-05-04T16:01:00.000-07:00

The above chart shows how the tropical and side real are a bit diffrent.
Most days they are the same shown in the gray area, but they change on diffrent days so this explains why so many places have diffrent signs for the same day. Or they are in North verses south hemisphere.
The Almanac said today is Virgo { A moist, barren earth sign. Good for plowing, cultivating, weeding and destroying pests{

sidereal zodiac (Maria Thun)
today is Leo changing to Virgo
{Garden works with root vegetables, compost works, transplanting, dunging, sowing the lawn, hairdressing fortunately}

tropical zodiac Virgo was 1/2 a day Sunday and tomorrow 1.2 a day changing to Libra.

To find the correct zodiac sign for your area go http://www.skyviewcafe.com/
You can use this for free online. After you set it up for your time zone
click on the Ecliptic tab to show where the moon is in the sky.
Here is an example the moon is in Virgo.

The Lunar planting calendar for this month is located at the bottom of the page.

Tomato Pruning

2009-05-03T23:43:00.001-07:00

Tomato Pruning

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The Lunar planting calendar for this month is located at the bottom of the page.

Self watering container

2009-05-03T17:45:00.000-07:00

I bough 1 10 foot length of 1/2 inch pvc water pipe 2 elbows and 2 caps .
This was enough to work with 1 50 gallon drum cut in half. To make 2 containers.

The lengths were cut to allow for the cap & elbow to be added. I got hubby to drill holes through about ever 1/2 inch. This way water would flow out both sides evenly. It was placed in the drum with the holes to the sided.

Sand was then placed around the perimeter.Allowing the dirt to make contact in the middle.
1 gallon of composted manure was placed in first then topper with potting organic potting soil. I also place a empty juice container in the side to make it easer to see if there is water in there. I also can add water to the juice container. I planter 1 tomato in the center and 5 asparagus plants around the perimeter, They are in red circles on photo. Yellow is the top of container. Next year I will add more soil for the asparagus to grow taller.
I drilled drain holes around the side above the soil line to let excess water out.

Click here to see more on of how this works

Here is an updated photo. The potatoes are way bigger in the red tub. I wonder if it is the red color. As they are saying now to use red plastic under the tomato plants for better health. As you see the top right are 2 other potatoes plants in the top soil bags. I started them all at the same time, and transplanted one to the red container. Where it took off in growth. Soon I will add more soil to all of them.

The Lunar planting calendar for this month is located at the bottom of the page.

Green house

2009-05-03T13:10:00.000-07:00

I made a Temporary green house out of small pallets.
We have had so much rain. I needed to get the seedlings out side but it was not safe to plant them in the down pours of rain. so I set 2 pallets up on the ends, and placed one on to at the bottom. I use one with the base removed in the center. I tied them together with rope and secured them to the fence with rope. I used a plastic drop cloth for the cover and secured it with yarn. It has been up for almost a week now and is doing great.

GARDEN UPDATE
It is lime to cut an remove the lettuce that sprouted on its own from last year.

The garden in coming along slowly I managed to get the beans planted the last 2 days.

Sprouts are turning a bit yellow. I need to get them planted. ASAP

The Lunar planting calendar for this month is located at the bottom of the page.

Beans

2009-05-01T13:30:00.000-07:00

Beans (Phaseolus)
Legume family
Are in the Fruit category for lunar gardening.
It ranks second to tomato in garden popularity.

Today.
I am planting these 6 variety's.
1.Derby (57 days; slim, tender, prolific; excellent pods) There straight pods are 6.5 to seven inches long, evenly rounded and evenly colored. Seeds are white. An All-America Selections winner in 1990. Matures in 57 days.
2. Contender Bush Beans
An early fresh variety ideally suited to dry weather and is both heat & Disease resistant. such as , {common bean mosaic and powdery mildew.} Pods are thick oval form, often curved and stringless. Medium green pods of about 6 inches. Matures in 55 days.
High in vitamins A, B and C.
3. Tendergreen Improved Bush Beans
High temperatures don't affect production. Smooth extra-meaty bean 6-inch pods--no fiber, no strings! grow upright and don't require staking. If picked on a daily basis, they can yield about 7 lbs. in 2-3 weeks from a 15 ft. row
Beans are sensitive to cold temperatures and frost. They should be planted after all danger of frost is past.
4. Royal Burgundy Bush Bean Phaseolus vugaris.
Tender Annual Deep-purple pods are delicious, round, and stringless, supported by a 16-20" stocky and durable bush, height, 5-6 in. Prolific producer even in cooler conditions. Though color fades when cooked,
5.Chinese Green Noodle Bean Long Beans seeds
Is an early variety of long bean imported from China. 20" pods are straight and smooth, bright green, and of excellent quality. This hardy long bean is easy to grow almost anywhere. Very tasty stir-fried.
6. Cowpeas Pinkeye Purple Hull 28G
Mature pods grow in bunches for easy picking. When ready for shelling, long pods are deep purple-green and peas are cream-colored with pink or purple eyes. Bushy plants produce heavy crops. 7 to 10 days to germination.Thin to 1 plant every 3 inches when they have 4 leaves. Keep soil moist to encourage growth.85 days to harvest from transplanting. For healthy vines, don't plant southern peas on same ground year after year. For dried peas, let the pods mature and dry on the vine. Recommended for warm climate areas.
+++++++++++++
Plant bean seeds of all varieties one inch deep. Plant seeds of bush beans 2 to 4 inches apart in rows at least 18 to 24 inches apart. Plant seeds of pole beans 4 to 6 inches apart in rows 30 to 36 inches apart.Seeds of most varieties tend to crack and germinate poorly if the soil's moisture content is too high. For this reason, never soak bean seed before planting. Instead water just after planting or plant right before a heavy rain

Beans grow very quickly and can be harvested green four to six weeks after sowing.

Pick beans every three or four days. Pods should snap easily and contain seeds that are not completely developed. Picking frequently will produce greater yields, but avoid picking in very hot or cold weather.
Companions:
Beet (to bush beans only), carrot, celery, chard, cucumber, eggplant, pea, potatoes, radish, strawberry. corn, tomatoes,spinach, lettuce, rosemary, summer savory, dill, radish, Summer savory

INCOMPATIBLE
chili peppers, sunflowers, alliums,Beets,(onions, garlic, etc), kales (cabbage family, broccoli, etc)

NOTE:
Bean plants have shallow roots and a fairly weak root systems, deep, close cultivation can injure the plant roots,
Garlic, onion and shallot stunt the growth of beans.
pole beans may choke Tomatoes,
The Common Bean is a highly nutritious source of starch, protein, dietary fiber, iron, potassium, and other minerals. It is usually prepared by boiling. Soaking it first will shorten cooking time, but the Common Bean should be boiled for at least 10 minutes to degrade the toxic compound lectin phytohaemagglutinin found in raw bean seeds. The highest concentration in red kidney beans .
Insect control
Marigold deters Mexican bean beetles.
Nasturtium and rosemary deter bean beetles.
Summer savory deters bean beetles, improves growth and flavor.
Common Problems

The bean mosaic diseases cause plants to turn a yellowish green and produce few or no pods. The leaves on infected plants are a mottled yellow and are usually irregularly shaped. The only satisfactory control for these diseases is to use mosaic-resistant bean varieties.

Bright yellow or brown spots on the leaves or water-soaked spots on the pods are signs of bacterial bean blight. Bacterial blight is best controlled by planting disease-free seed; avoiding contact with wet bean plants; and removing all bean debris from the garden.

The Lunar planting calendar for this month is located at the bottom of the page.

The Lunar planting calendar for this month is located at the bottom of the page.

Moon Signs for May garden

2009-04-29T17:10:00.000-07:00

This is color coded according to which type of plant or tree should do good planted on a each day of May 2009. Refer to the calendar below for more specific information as in Astrological Moon Signs. So you can determine if that day is good for planting or not. Also look at your weather conditions too. As they play a role in how the plant will do. Click on the photo to enlarge.

Todays garden 1

2009-04-28T11:02:00.000-07:00

It has been raining the last couple of days.
I bough a rain gage to show me how much.
The wind has remove all the black plastic I put down.
The tomatoes are doing great under the soda bottles.

I have Ires clematis and white yarrow doing well around the pole.
Sunday I planter 1 yellow and 1 red cherry 100 tomatoes in the upside down buckets.

I was surprised to find a plant growing under the lid from last years soil.
I dump the old dirt in a wheal barrow and mix it in with some composted manure peat ant top soil. This will give last years potting soil a refresher.
This is a geranium bush I received in the mail last fall. I kept in the veggie drawer over winter and I am placing it in the amended top soil bag temporarily. I do not like to plant in November. and will not mail order from this company again.
I placed the potato plant that was frost bit in this bucket and covered it with soil. Wow what a recovery of leaf.

The Lunar planting calendar for this month is located at the bottom of the page.

Moon planting methods

2009-04-27T11:10:00.000-07:00

If you are just looking for for this months moon planting calendar Click here.

There are three methods for planting by the moon.
The Synodic, Sidereal, and the Biodynamic cycle.

This is were all the confusion comes from is the diffrent zodiac signs.

Synodic (waxing and waning) cycle
Most Farmers almanac's are based on this way.
Every month the moon passes through all 12 signs of the zodiac; It is about 2 1/2 days in each sign.The 12 zodiac signs is associated with a different part of the body. and any sign above the waist is do not plant. Below the waist is plant.
Then they divides the Luna cycle into four phases or quarters. This cycle takes 29.6 days to complete.

Then they assign plants to the phases of the moon which best suits there growing characteristics.They group plants into categories, Root Crops, Foliage.Crops with seeds on the outside, and crops with seeds on the inside.

Sidereal cycle
This is very similar to the Biodynamic cycle except only the moons orbit around the earth is used to define the best times to sow and harvest.
The orbit is divided up into 12 equal 30 degree sections to represent the position of the moon in the sky, but it may not be the same as the current moon position. The sidereal cycle takes 27.3 days to complete.

Biodynamic cycle
This a method of organic farming that has its basis in a spiritual world-view (anthroposophy) This is a more scientific method using the 12 Zodiac signs as a way of position the moon, for more accurate planting. Rudolf Steiner , started this way in 1924.
Zodiac signs used where for the actual positioning of the moon in the sky, as the moon passed through them.
The moon, Venus and Saturn all play a large part in the Biodynamic farming calendar.
Form more information see the Wikipedia Article on Biodynamics.

So now that I have learn the difference I have now chosen to use the Biodynamic cycle, because I want to try the most scientific way. As they have done allot of research and it works for them. They encourage you to keep records and experiment. See for your self if it works!

Look at this web site, Look about 1/2 way down the page, it will show the difference in side real and tropical Zodiac signs. And explain in more detail.

Trees

2009-04-20T04:18:00.000-07:00

Trees in the lunar cycle
Moon phase
They should be planted when the moon is at the third quarter decreasing stage, which is good for root crops so they have a well-developed root systems .

Also they should be planted according to what they are.

A fruit tree should be planted under a sign good for producing fruit.
Oak , walnut, & pecan are also fruiting trees, as they produces nuts.

Willows need plenty of water so a water sign would be good for them along with the 3rd quarter would be perfect.

For me I would pick
Fruit tree
Scorpio is a very fruitful and moist, watery
Cancer is fruitful, moist, watery the best sign for all Above-ground and root crops

Regular trees
Taurus is fairly productive, moist, earthy good for both root & leaf
Pisces is watery and one of the most fertile signs

Flowering trees
like dogwood , redbud, snowball bush,
Libra is airy and masculine but also semi-fertile and moist, a good sign for vines, and especially for flowers.
Scorpio is a very fruitful and moist, watery for abundance of flowers.

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April 22, 2009 is Earth day.

I love this quote!
"Go outside today, no matter what the weather! Take in the "tonic of outdoor air, the healthy influence that comes from contact with the soil, the delightful companionship with nature" (Eben E. Rexford, The Home Garden, 1909).
Click here You can see portions of his book at google library for free.

He prescribes a season of gardening. As being better than any drug a doctor can give you. I saw this to be true with my friends Mr & Mrs D in St. Louis. They have a flower garden and worked it together. My D passed at age 93. And her health is now failing as he is gone and she can not work the garden as she did before.

I my self found peace and contentment in my garden at my old home. It was like heaven on earth. So I need to take some of my own medicine and get to work on my garden here. So I can find peace and regain my physical and health.

My prescription for you is to go out side tomorrow. Enjoy the weather. Or plant a garden . learn to love and respect the Earth we share. Think green. recycle reuse and restore the health of the earth. Maybe plant a tree.

(Note.
Earth Day, celebrated April 22, is a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment Please see wickpedia for more info on the history of this day.

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Note:
The Lunar planting calendar for this month is located at the bottom of the page.

Lunar garden update1

2009-04-19T06:26:00.000-07:00

Today is another wet rainy day. Garden prep is behind. I can not do much by my self any more. So far I have 10 tomato plants transplanted in the garden under soda bottles. They are doing great. 2 out of 3 red potatoes planted in the top soil bags are doing great. 1 seems to be frost bit. I should have put them under bottles too. Mistake #1.

^Before fence^

Yesterday I managed to put up 3 cattle panels used to both fence in and support plants. I will have tomatoes on2 sides and melons and cukes on another side.

After fence photo

The seed inside is doing great. This is the first time I have succeeded at growing tomatoes from seed.

The plants in the center are cabbage fdr they are leggy and I have no clue if they will successfully make a good plant. The Lunar planting calendar for this month is located at the bottom of the page.

Beneficial Insects

2009-04-15T21:48:00.000-07:00

Beneficial Insects

Assassin Bug -- Caterpillars, Flies
Big-Eyed Bug -- Aphids, Caterpillars, Leafhopper, Mites; attracted by Clover, Goldenrod, Soybeans.
Braconid Wasp -- Aphids, Army worm, Cabbage worm, Corn borer, Codling Moth, Elm Bark Beetle, Horn Worm; Attracted by Dill, Parsley, Yarrow.
Damselbug -- Aphids, Caterpillars, Leafhopper, Thrips; Attracted by Alfalfa.
Ground Beetle -- Caterpillars, Cabbage Maggot, Colorado Potato Beetle Larvae, Cutworms, Slugs, Snails; Attracted by Clover.
Honeybee -- Pollinator
Hover Fly (Syrphid Fly) -- Aphids
Ichneumon Wasp -- Beetle larvae, Caterpillars, Sawfly,
Lacewing -- Aphids, Corn Ear worms, Mites, Thrips
Lady Beetle -- Aphids
Minute Pirate Bug -- Leafhopper nymphs, Spider mites, Thrips
Predatory Mite -- European Red Mites, Spider Mites
Praying Mantis -- Also predates beneficial s
Rove Beetle -- Aphids, Cabbage Maggot, Flies, Mites, Spring tails
Soldier Beetle -- Aphids, Beetle larvae, Caterpillars, Corn Root worm, Cucumber Beetle, Grasshopper eggs ; Attracted by Goldenrod, Milkweed, Hydrangea
Spined Soldier Bug -- Caterpillars, Sawfly larvae
Tachinid Fly -- Caterpillars
Tiger Beetle -- General predator
Yellowjacket -- Flies, caterpillars

NOTE:
SEE rex research for Plants with Broad-Spectrum Pesticidal Properties

Insect-Repelling Plants

2009-04-15T21:46:00.001-07:00

Insect-Repelling Plants

Basil -- Flies, Mosquitoes, Asparagus Beetle
Borage -- Tomato Worm
Calendula -- Asparagus Beetles, Tomato Worms
Catnip -- Ants, Aphids, Cockroaches, Flea Beetle, Japanese Beetles
Chrysanthemum -- Mexican Bean Beetle
Cosmos -- Mexican Bean Beetle
Coriander -- Aphids
Dandelion -- Colorado Potato Beetle
Dead Nettle -- Potato Beetle
Fennel -- Fleas
Flax -- Potato Beetle
Garlic -- Aphids, Apple Scab, Borers, Japanese Beetles, Peach Leaf Curl Disease, Spider Mites
Geranium -- Cabbage Worm, Red Spider Mite
Henbit -- General insect repellent
Horseradish -- Potato Beetle
Hyssop -- Cabbage Moth
Lavender -- Mice, Ticks, Moths
Marigold -- Mexican Bean Beetle, Nematodes
Mint -- Ants, Aphids, Cabbage Moth, Fleas, Mice
Mole Plant -- Mice, Moles
Nasturtium -- White Flies, Squash Bugs, Striped Pumpkin Beetle, Wooly Aphid (apple)
Oregano -- Cabbage Butterfly, Cucumber Beetle
Parsley -- Beetles
Penny royal -- Fleas, Flies, Mosquitoes
Pot Marigold -- Asparagus Beetle, Tomato Worm
Radish -- Cucumber Beetle
Rosemary -- Bean Beetles, Cabbage Moth, Carrot Fly
Rue -- Flies, Japanese Beetle, Cats, Dogs
Sage -- Bean beetle, Cabbage Moth, Carrot Fly, Slugs
Southern wood -- Cabbage Moth
Sunflower -- Army worm
Tansy -- Ants, Fleas, Flies, Japanese Beetle, Moths, Striped Cucumber Beetles, Squash Bugs
Thyme -- Cabbage Worm
Wormwood -- Animals

Plant spacing

2009-04-15T09:30:00.000-07:00

You can use this for both in ground and container space.

How deep should a container be? How far apart should your plants be? These are minimum guide lines. Plants like space.
Plant	Spacing	roots grow deep
Cherry tomatoes	12” apart 14” some are 3ft apart	4” to 16”
Beans (Phaseolus) Fruit	5” apart	16” to 18”
Beets ROOT	3” apart	9” to 12”
Broccoli FLOWER	12” apart 12” to 14” wide	20" deep
Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) Familly LEAF	12” apart	12” to 14”
Carrots (Daucus carota) ______________ Cauliflower FLOWER	2” apart __________________________ 12” apart	9” to 18” ______________________ 12” to 14
Celery (Apium graveolens)
Corn (Zea mays)	. 1ft apt in 3 ft wife rows	roots can be as deep as 6 to 7 feet
Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus)	12” apart	16” to 18”
Eggplant (Solanum melongena	12” apart	14” to 16”
Lettuce (Lactuca sativa	6” apart	9” to 12”
Onion Family ROOT	3” apart	9” to 12”
Pea Fruit	3” apart	14” to 16”
PEPPERS Fruit	12” apart they grow best in 16" diameter pots,	14” to 16”
Potato, {ROOT}	6” apart no more than 3 roots to a 30 gal container	16” to 18”
Pumpkin- Squash (Curcurbita spp) Fruit	Corn, Marigold beans , Nasturtium. Buckwheat, catnip, tansy, radishes	Irish Potato
Radish (Spinacia oleracea){ROOT}	1” to 2” apart	9” to 12”
Spinach LEAF	5” apart	9” to 12
Squash Fruit	18” apart	16” to 24”
Tomato Fruit	least 20" or 22" diameter 5 gallon bucket is good	18"+
Swiss Chard	6” apart	9” to 12”

vining crops require a 20" or larger container.
Greens, such as lettuce and spinach, have shallow roots and thus do well in broader, flatter containers.
One to two gallon container are ok for peppers, chard and dwarf tomatoes,
Four to five gallons per plant is best for tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and eggplants.

Leafy vegetable and herbs don’t need as much room, but use a pot at least 9 inches deep so you don’t have to water as often.

Vegetables with extensive root systems such as cucumbers, potatoes, squash and tomatoes need containers with a minimum depth of 16 inches. Remember, the bigger the pot, the bigger the yield. An extra 2 inches deep can more than double your crop.

Overheating of the soil is a common cause of failure in container plantings. Thick wood insulates best, dark colored containers will absorb more heat, light colored containers reflect heat.
Red color is great for tomatoes and potatoes.

Tomato 2

2009-04-13T18:44:00.000-07:00

sprouts are doing well this is day 38 from planting the seeds.

This is a potato sprout {link planted in a top soil bag}. on march 22, 2009
It looks to have frost damage. so we will see if it comes around. I will wall it up with more soil.Purple stems and leaves is usually associated with cooler temps or transplant shock and usually goes away on its own . This can happen to tomatoes too.

I transplanted these out side on Sunday April 12, 2009 It has been cold and rainy and yet they are still alive today . Low was 36 Degrees and tonight will be low 30's .
today April 13 - Scorpio (water, feminine) Mars; Loins; very fruitful and moist Produces sturdy, reliable plants. Plant most vegetables and flowers for large yields; excellent time to plant beans, berries, cantaloupes, cauliflower, cereal, chicory, eggplant, peas, potatoes, pumpkin Hi 45°F Lo 37°F Precip A half inch to an inch of rain is expected through Monday.
So I will try to put out some seed tomorrow.

The Lunar planting calendar for this month is located at the bottom of the page.

Self watering containers

2009-04-12T00:39:00.000-07:00

To start making self watering bottles take a empty clean soda or juice bottle, and make drain holes around the top. You may click on the photos to enlarge them.
Then cut the bottom off where it can be used as a cup.
I inserted Polly fill as a wick. Then I placed a bit of organic potting soil in the bottom.
This photo shows how it will sit in the cup it should touch the bottom.

I placed the plant I was transplanting in. When you have 2 seed that germinated. You can either cover over the weakest plant.

Or risk separation

The next 2 photos have what they look like complete.
They were buried deeper in the cup to form new roots.
I then place them in front of a window or under a grow light. Tomatoes are good at growing roots on there stem.
I am also experimenting with the Polly fill in the bottom of all the cups to see if the will self water. It has helped so far with keeping the seedlings alive. I can see the moister in the side of the cups.

This ideal came from Link to Inside Urban Green
The have lots of self watering ideals.
Upside down soda bottle

COMPANION PLANTING CHART

2009-04-11T19:52:00.000-07:00

COMPANION PLANTING CHART Types: Fruit .ROOT. FLOWER. LEAF .
CROP	Good Companions	INCOMPATIBLE
Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) ROOT	Tomato, Parsley, Basil	Onion, Garlic, Potatoes
Beans (Phaseolus) Fruit	Corn, Tomatoes, Spinach, lettuce, rosemary, summer savory, dill, carrots, brassicas, radish, strawberry and cucumbers Eggplant, Summer savory	chili peppers, sunflowers, alliums,Beets,(onions, garlic, etc), kales (cabbage, broccoli, etc)pole beans may choke Tomatoes,
Beets ROOT	bush beans, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, garlic, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, onions
Brussels Sprouts LEAF ______________ Broccoli FLOWER	beets, celery, cucumbers, dill, garlic, hyssop, lettuce, mint, nasturtium, onions, potatoes, rosemary, sage, spinach, swiss chard ________________________ SEE:{Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) Familly}	______________________
Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) Familly LEAF	Aromatic Herbs, Celery, Beets, Onion Family, Chamomile, Spinach, Chard, Beans, geraniums, alliums, rosemary,Nasturtium, Cucumbers, Dill, Kale, Lettuce, Potatoes, Sage Spinach. Thyme	Dill, Strawberries, Pole Beans, Tomato, mustards, peppers. Lettuce. strawberries,Broccoli. Cauliflower,Tomatoes
Carrots (Daucus carota) ROOT ______________ Cauliflower FLOWER	Tomatoes, Alliums (Onion Family) (leeks, shallots, etc), rosemary, wormwood, sage, beans, flax, Pea, Lettuce, Rosemary, Sage, Beans, Radishes _______________________ SEE:{Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) Familly}	Dill, parsnip, radish, Anise. Parsley ______________________
Celery (Apium graveolens) LEAF	Onion & Cabbage Families, Tomato, Bush Beans, Nasturtium, Cosmos, Daisies, Snapdragons	corn, Aster flowers, these can transmit the aster yellows disease
Corn (Zea mays) Fruit	English Pea, Pumpkin, Cucumber, Squash, beans, Sunflowers, legumes (beans, peas, soybeans etc), peanuts, curcubits (squash, cucumbers, melons, etc), amaranth, white geranium, lamb's quarters, morning glory, parsley, and potato	Tomato, Celery
Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus) Fruit	Beans, Corn, Pea, Radish, Lettuce, Nasturtiums, radishes, marigolds, sunflowers peas, beets, carrots, and Dill, Cabbage,Cauliflower, Sunflowers	Potato, Aromatic Herbs, Rue, Tomato, Sage, Melons
Eggplant (Solanum melongena) Fruit	Beans, Peppers Marigolds, tarragon, mints	Avoid Runner beans
Kohlrabi Brassica oleracea {ROOT} SEE:{Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) Familly} ______________ Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) LEAF ______________ Melons Fruit	Beets, Cucumber, Onion celery, dill, garlic, hyssop, lettuce, mint, nasturtium, potatoes, rosemary, sage, spinach, swiss chard ________________________ Carrot, Radish, Strawberry, Cucumber, Kohlrabi, beans, carrots Asparagus.Beets Brussels sprouts, Corn, Eggplant, Onions, chives, Peas, Potatoes. Radishes,Spinach Sunflowers, Tomatoes, garlic, kale, radishes, strawberries _________________________ Corn, Nasturtium, Radish marigold, oregano, pumpkin, radishes, squash	Pole Beans, Pepper, Strawberry, Tomato This is in Cabbage family so best not to mingle with them. ______________________ Broccoli, celery, cabbage, cress, parsley _________________ ?
Onion Family ROOT	Beets, Carrot, Lettuce, Cabbage Family, Summer Savory,Broccoli, Peppers. Potatoes. Spinach, Tomatoes. brussels sprouts, chamomile, cauliflower, carrots, , kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, peppers, strawberries, summer savory, swiss chard	Beans, Peas. Sage
Parsley {LEAF}	Tomato, Asparagus, corn	?
Pea Fruit _ ___________ PEPPERS Fruit	Carrots, Radish, Turnip, Cucumber, Corn, Beans , Cucumber, Radish, Turnips _________________________ Basil, Coriander, Onions, Spinach Tomatoes	Onion, Family, Gladiolus, Potato, Turnip __________________ Beans, Kohlrabi
Potato, {ROOT}	Beans, Corn, Cabbage Family, Marigolds, Horseradish	Pumpkin, Squash, Tomato, Cucumber, Sunflower
Pumpkin- Squash (Curcurbita spp) Fruit	Corn, Marigold beans , Nasturtium. Buckwheat, catnip, tansy, radishes	Irish Potato
Radish (Spinacia oleracea){ROOT}	Basil, Coriander, Onions, Spinach Tomatoes, Peas, Nasturtium, Lettuce, Cucumber	Beans, Kohlrabi, Hyssop
Spinach LEAF	Strawberry, Peas, Beans	?
Squash Fruit ____________ Strawberry Fruit	Nasturtium, Corn, Marigold ________________________ Bush Beans, Lettuce, Onion, Spinach	Potato __________________ Cabbage
Tomato Fruit	Beans. Roses, peppers, asparagus, basil, oregano, parsley, marigold, Alliums, celery, Geraniums, Petunias, Nasturtium, Borage, Onion Family, Nasturtium,Radishes Spinach,Thyme, Asparagus, Carrot, Parsley, Cucumber. Celery. Lettuce, Melons	Fennel, Black walnut, corn, peas, dill, potatoes, beetroot, kale. kohlrabi, cabbage,rosemary,Broccoli Brussels sprouts. Cauliflower
Turnip {ROOT} _____________ Winter Squash Fruit	Pea _________________________ corn, melons, pumpkins, borage, marigold, nasturtium, oregano	Potato ______________________

Notes:
Tomatoes and all members of the brassicas family repel each other and will exhibit poor growth when planted together.

Lettuce and kohlrabi are good together because the lettuce will be harvested by the time the kohlrabi needs all the space in the row

Beans and onions are natural enemies, so keep them at opposite sides of the garden

The roots of French Brocade Marigolds emit a substance that repels nematodes in the immediate area.

Marigolds when grown with just about any garden plant, repelling beetles, nematodes, and even animal pests

Mints (including hyssop, sage, and various "balms") repel slugs, a bane of lettuce and cabbages

Tomatoes grow better with carrots, but may stunt the carrots' growth.
Beans (which are bad for tomatoes) provide the nitrogen carrots need more than some other vegetables.
The reason why most people say do not plant corn by tomatoes is that they are both eaten by the same bugs. , because if one crop becomes infested you will lose both crops if they are close to each other.

Planting tomatoes and potatoes together makes potatoes more susceptible to potato blight.
Kohlrabi & Fennel both, inhibits the growth of tomatoes.

Aromatic companion plants repel carrot fly. Sage, rosemary, and radishes are recommended by some as companion plants, but listed by others as incompatible.
alliums inter planted with carrots confuse onion and carrot flies. For the beneficial insect-attracting properties of carrots to work, they need to be allowed to flower; Otherwise, use the wild carrot, Queen Anne's Lace, for the same effect. Flax produces an oil that may protect root vegetables like carrots from some pests.

The growth of beans and peas is stunted by garlic and onions.

Carrots, dill, parsley, and parsnip attract garden heroes -- praying mantises, ladybugs, and spiders -- that dine on insect pests

Rosemary repels cabbage flies, geraniums trap cabbage worms, same general companion profile as all brassica (cabbage, kolhrabi, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, etc)
Flea Beetles are warded off by radishes.

Although cabbage and cauliflower are closely related, they don't like each other at all.

Basil planted among tomatoes protect the tomatoes from horn worms, and sage scattered about the cabbage patch reduces injury from cabbage moths.

catnip, help to repel aphids and cabbage pests.

Nasturtiums are so favored by aphids that the devastating insects will flock to them instead of other plants. A strong blast of water is usually enough to get rid of the aphids. They can also be prone to flea beetles, slugs and the caterpillars of cabbage white butterflies.
Great kinks to learn more,

1.Home and garden This site explains some of how plants help each other.

April moon chart

2009-04-10T17:54:00.000-07:00

Note click here for updated calendars for each new month

Looks like April 22 is my day to garden .

I have chose to use these dates for moon planting this month.
it is a compromise between the diffrent date posted all over.
I would love to know if any one really knows what the right sign is for the moon.
I am in mid Missouri so this is the closest I can find for my area.

April 9 - Virgo
Full moon approx 11:56 central
April 10 - Virgo changing to Libra

April 11 - Libra Hi 63°F Lo 42°F

April 12 - Scorpio Libra changes to Scorpio Hi 58°F Lo 46°F Precip 50 % Waning Gibbous Moon
April 13 - Scorpio (water, feminine) Loins; very good for sturdy and reliable plants. vegetables and flowers for large yields; , I will plant cauliflower, broccoli . carrots.
Hi 52°F Lo 41°F Precip 40 %
April 14- Scorpio Hi 58°F Lo 43°F Precip 20 %
April 15 - Sagittarius (fire, masculine); Archer; Jupiter; Thighs;
onions, garlic, peppers, chilies and radishes Hi 67°FF Lo 47°F Precip 10 %
April 16 - Sagittarius Hi 60°F Lo 46°F Precip 40 %

April 17 - Capricorn*(earth, feminine); Goat; Saturn; Knees; productive Good for most planting. Plant bulbs, potatoes, root crops, beans, cabbage, broccoli, lettuce, onion sets, radishes, flowers and fruit trees
Cloudy with shower Low: 37 °F High: 55 °F Precip 40 %

Last quarter moon approx 10:36 am ct
April 18 -Capricorn Mostly Cloudy A shower in the afternoon Low: 32 °F High: 61
April 19 - Capricorn changing to Aquarius Hi 58°F Lo 43°F° Precip 20 %
April 20 - Aquarius Flowering plants.Hi 62°F Lo 43°F° Precip 60 %
April 21 - Aquarius Hi 68°F Lo 43°F° Precip 20 %
April 22 - Pisces (water, feminine); Fish; Neptune; Feet; one of the most fertile signs A great time for planting most types of crops, including broccoli, bulbs, Brussels sprouts, carrots, celery, chicory, cress, cucumbers, endive, horseradish, parsley, peanuts, radishes, pumpkins, flowers (for abundance) and deciduous trees.
Biodynamic gardeners plant most flower, fruit and vegetable seeds two days prior to a new moon. This is considered the ideal time because light and gravitational conditions during seven days following new moon become increasingly favorable for the development of roots and plant foliage. The moon shines a bit brighter and lunar gravity increases a little each day giving young plants an early boost.
Weather Mostly sunny and colder Low: 39 °F High: 57 °F Avg Hi 68°F Lo 43°F°
April 23 - Pisces
April 24 - Pisces new moon approx 12:23 pm ct

April 25 - Aries (fire, masculine); Ram; Mars; Head; dry and barren Not good for planting anything; good for cultivating, destroying noxious growth and pests, weeding and harvesting.

April 26 - Aries
April 27 - Gemini (air, masculine); Twins; Mercury; Arms/Chest; dry and barren Not good for planting anything; good for cultivating, destroying noxious growth and pests, weeding and harvesting.
April 28 - Gemini
April 29 - Gemini changing to Cancer
April 30 - Cancer (water, feminine); Crab; Moon; in the old ways my Aunt used it is not a sign used for planting. But in the biometric ways and sild real ways it is the most fertile sign.

Wisdom from my elders.
According to my Aunt in WV They used these old rules to plant by.

Scorpio Sagittarius Capricorn Aquarius Pisces are good planting signs,

Aries Gemini Leo Cancer Taurus Libra Virgo not good.
Plant underground root plant during the dark of the moon.
Plant above ground crop like tomatoes in the light of the moon.
Do not plant in full moon.

Planting with Pisces Yields twice the crop
Leo plants will die if damaged in this sign.
Virgo crop will be diseased if damage in this sign.

TOMATOES & companion plants.

2009-04-10T08:46:00.000-07:00

I will be planting in my 2009 garden.

- Brandywine Pink 80 days. {indeterminate}
The most popular heirloom vegetable! A favorite of many gardeners, large fruit with superb flavor. A great potato-leafed variety from 1885!
Beautiful pink fruit up to 1-1/2 lbs. each!

Flame (Hillbilly)80-85 days. {indeterminate}
A huge, bi color heirloom, brilliant yellow color with red marbling. Very large with a rich, sweet flavor. Beautiful when sliced. An heirloom believed to be from West Virginia.

Gold Medal75-90 days. {Indeterminate}
The 1 lb fruit are among the smoothest bi colored tomatoes and are one of the most beautiful . Lovely yellow fruit are blushing with rosy red that radiates from the blossom end. The firm flesh is of superior quality, being sweet and mild. The low acid content makes them great for fresh eating. From the late, legendary seed collector, Ben Quisenberry.

Aunt Ruby's German Cherry Tomato {Determinate}
78 days-Here is a wonderfully cute, flavorful and unique green cherry tomato that was selected from the renown "Aunt Ruby's German Green". The 1-2 oz. fruit are shaped like little beefsteak tomatoes and have the full-sized tomato flavor packed into these bite-sized snacks. The plants produce loads of fruit, but some may still be red- colored, as this selection has not been fully stabilized yet. Rare and colorful.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Indeterminate tomatoes continue to grow, set fruit, and ripen continuously until a frost arrives. Also known as vining types, they require staking or other support
determinate tomatoes plants that are bushy, whose fruit ripen over a 3 to 4 week period, and generally do not need staking. Caging is usually recommended
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
companion plants.
TOMATOES: : asparagus, basil, bean, carrots, celery, chive, cucumber, garlic, head lettuce, marigold, mint, nasturtium, onion, parsley, pepper, marigold, pot marigold and sow thistle.
Tomatoes repel the asparagus beetle.
tomato plants can stunt the growth of your carrots but the carrots will still be of good flavor.
Basil repels flies and mosquitoes, improves growth and flavor.
Bee balm, chives and mint improve health and flavor.
Borage & nasturtium deters tomato worm & Borage improves growth and flavor.
Dill, until mature, improves growth and health, mature dill retards tomato growth.

Do Not plant: corn and tomato together they are attacked by the same worm. Kohlrabi stunts tomato growth.
Keep potatoes and tomatoes apart as they both can get early and late blight contaminating each other.
Keep cabbage and cauliflower away from them.
Don't plant them with in 100 feet of walnut trees as they will get walnut wilt: a disease that can affect many plants. I do not even compost my leaves because I have 3 walnut and 2 pecan trees in my yard. Click here to see information on walnut wilt

April planting table

2009-04-10T08:30:00.000-07:00

Central America planting table for April 2009 from Mother Earth New.

VEGETABLES	Sow Indoors	Sow Outdoors	Transplant
Arugula		XXX
Asparagus		April 11	XXX
Beet		XXX
Broccoli		April 11	April 22
Brussels sprouts			XXX
Cabbage			XXX
Cauliflower		April 11	XXX
Carrot		XXX
Celery			XXX
Chard		XXX	XXX
Eggplant	XXX
Endive		XXX
Fava bean		XXX
Fennel, bulb	XXX	XXX	XXX
Kale			XXX
Kohlrabi		April 11	XXX
Leek		XXX	XXX
Lettuce		April 11	XXX
Mellons Onions, bulb		April 11	April 22 XXX
Pac choi		XXX
Parsnip		XXX
Peas (snow, shell, snap)		XXX
Peppers	xxx
Potatoes		April 11
Radishes		XXX
Rhubarb			XXX
Radicchio		XXX
Squash		April 11	April 22
Scallion (green onion)		April 11	XXX
Shallot			XXX

Spinach		XXX
Tomato	XXX		April 22
Turnip		XXX

On April 10, 2009 I started seeds in small 3 oz cups for
Flower Datura Ballerina formula mix. & Sacred wright.
Broccoli Calabrese green sprouting $ Romanesco Italia

I think I get it now!

2009-04-08T16:50:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Lunar Gardening Basics By Ellen Brown's web site.

For today
It is the day before the full moon so we are still in the Second Quarter Moon
which means , gravity starts to play less of a role, but the increased moonlight creates optimal conditions for leaf growth. This is a good time to plant crops that are harvested above ground, but form seeds inside their fruit (beans, melons, peppers, squash, tomatoes)

According to this calendar.
tropical zodiac . "Virgo changing into Libra today from April 8-10 Garden works with flowering plants," Them leaf plants com in on the 11 th.

the sidereal zodiac has Virgo only from April 8-10 : Garden works with root vegetables, compost works, transplanting, dunging, sowing the lawn. Flowers come into play on the 11 th.

Full Moon Tomorrow.
During a full moon, the gravitational pull is strong once again (increasing soil moisture), but the decreasing moonlight translates into focusing energy toward root growth. This makes the full moon phase ideal for planting root crops (carrots, onions, potatoes), planting bulbs and transplanting due to increased root growth.

You have to look at both the moon phase and the zodiac sign. It they don't agree. Then it is not a good time to plant. Like above Sidereal zodiac said root crop and moon is good for root growth so this the way to go.

The tropical zodiac has flowers so they will not do as well with the Full moon tomorrow being full.

Tomato update 1

2009-04-08T01:33:00.000-07:00

Tomato seeds were started March 5, 2009
Peat pods were used with tooth picks inserted to keep the plastic bags up.
All these seeds were started the same time. Some how they did not all sprout at the same time. And too many seeds were place in each pod. I think all the seed germinated. next time only 1 seed per a pot and no more peat pods will be used. There root system is way too small. I do not have the heart to destroy any of them so I separated them. and transplanted them today. I only did a few as it is not to be done so close to a full moon. According to the moon garden guide lines. So we will see if this is true. I will wait till the 11 th to do more. The 15th is the next day to work with tomatoes. But they can not wait that long.

This photo shows the new seeds I planted in small cups. They are growing by leaps and bounds. They were planted on March 29, 09 3 days after the new moon. So the garden by the moon calendar was right on this one. I planted Cabbage tree from Carla. Thank you Carla !
Lemon & Crystal apple chuke's , Ananas D' Amerique mellons. and Sugar baby water melon. I have them setting close to the base board electric heater to warm them. Some people use a heating pad to do this.
MELONS: Companions: Corn, pumpkin, radish and squash. Other suggested helpers for melons are as follows: Marigold deters beetles, nasturtium deters bugs and beetles. Oregano provides general pest protection.
After removing the tomatoes from the plactic bags this photo shows all 3 staged of replanting they have gone through. Note: They are all place at a south facing window.

Step 1 was to insert peat pod in a cup.when they are at this stage.

Step 2 transplant up to in larger container and cover with dirt up to the red line.
I am using soda bottles that will be self watering. I first insert the batting used for pillows. into the bottom of the cut off bottle. It will act as a wick. I them place dirt in and the plant. The bottom that was cut off will be used under it to hold water. I will do another post to show you more.
This is a closer look at what they should look like after transplanting them to the red line in the upper photo..

Moon garden for

Date: 08 April 2009

Contradictions! How do you know which is right, 3 sources each are split between the 2 Libra and Virgo ?
Up date I found Libra is a tropical zodiac
and Virgo is a sidereal zodiac
So depending on which form of lunar gardening you use the sign will guide you.

Moon at 4°10' Libra,

Root
Waxing gibbous

Virgo (earth, feminine); Virgin; Mercury; Bowels; “Bloom Days”; moist but barren Good for destroying weeds and pests. Vegetables will not do well if planted in Virgo (big blooms, little ‘fruit’), but it is a good planting sign for most flowers and vines for large bloom yields. Don't plant vegetables or trees.

Libra (air, masculine); Balance; Venus; Kidneys; moist and semi-fertile Used for planting crops where good pulp growth and roots are desirable; another good sign for flowers and vines. Plant seeds for hay, corn, fodder, grain. Flowers, bulbs, barley, beans, beet, cabbage, carrot, peas, squash, tubers and vines.

Biodynamic garden

2009-04-05T19:16:00.000-07:00

There are three methods for planting by the moon. The Syndic, or waxing and waning cycle, the Sidereal, and the Biodynamic cycle.

The two different ways to measure a month are called sidereal and synodic.

The siderial month is the time it takes for the Moon to complete one full orbit of the Earth, measured with respect to the distant stars. The major assumption in determing a sidereal month is that the distant stars are fixed relative to Earth, and for the most part they are stationary. The sidereal month is the Moon's true orbital period and is equal to 27.3 days. That is, it takes the Moon 27.3 days to be in the same position relative to the distant stars.

The synodic month is the time it takes for the Moon to complete one cycle of phases. For example, it is the time it takes the Moon to complete one full cycle of phases. That is, the time between successive new moons. Therefore the synodic month is measured with respect to the Sun and is approximately 29.5 days.

Why is there a difference between the sidereal and synodic periods? Well, the Earth keeps orbiting the Sun while the Moon is going through its phases. Thus, to go from one new moon to the next the Moon must travel more than 360o along its orbit. The synodic month is therefore approximately two days longer than the sidereal month.

Biodynamic gardeners
plant most flower, fruit and vegetable seeds two days prior to a new moon.
This is considered the ideal time because light and gravitational conditions

seven days following new moon become increasingly favorable for the development of roots and plant foliage. The moon shines a bit brighter and lunar gravity increases a little each day giving young plants an early boost.

seven days of the lunar cycle before a full moon. The moon continues to appear larger each night emitting a little bit more foliage stimulating light. Simultaneously, conditions are becoming less favorable for rapid root growth as lunar gravitational force increases. This is the part of the cycle during which young plant foliage begins to flourish and roots rest.

Seven days following a full moon the trend is reversed. The moon begins to wane or emit a bit less night each night. Less moonlight results in slowed foliage development. At the same time lunar gravity is decreasing again and roots now have a chance to flourish while foliage rests. This is considered the best time to transplant seedlings with minimal root shock.

During the last seven days of the lunar cycle the moon continues to wane and lunar gravitational forces increase again. As a result both roots and foliage slow down and rest until the arrival of the next new moon when the next cycle begins again.This to is the best time for cutting branches, pruning etc is when the moon is waning .

Recommendations for U.S.A.

Best ROOT Periods : for 2009

Thursday January 15 @ 7 AM threw Saturday January 17 @ 11 PM
Wednesday February 11 @ 6 PM threw Sunday February 15 @ 1 AM
Wednesday March 11 @ 5 AM threw Saturday March 14 @11 AM
Tuesday April 7 @ 1 PM threw Friday April 10 @ 8 PM
Monday May 4 @ 8 PM threw Friday May 8 @ 4 AM
Monday June 1 @ 1 AM threw Thursday June 4 @ 10 AM
Sunday June 28 @ 7 AM threw Wednesday July 1 @ 4 PM
Saturday July 25 @ 3 PM threw Tuesday July 28 @ 10 PM

Best FRUIT Periods :

Monday January 12 @ 8 PM threw Thursday January 15 @ 3 AM
Monday February 9 @ 7 AM threw Wednesday February 11 @ 2 PM
(But avoid Lunar eclipse before 10 PM February 9)
Sunday March 8 @ 6 PM threw Wednesday March 11 @ 1 AM
Sunday April 5 @ 1 AM threw Monday April 6 @ 7 AM
(Mercury at upper nodal point reduces available time.)
Saturday May 2 @ 6 AM threw Monday May 4 @ 4 PM
Friday May 29 @ 12 PM threw Sunday May 31 @ 9 PM
Thursday June 25 @ 8 PM threw Sunday June 28 @ 3 AM
Thursday July 23 @ 6 AM threw Saturday July 25 @ 12 PM

Best LEAF Periods :

Tuesday January 20 @ 11 AM threw Thursday January 22 @ 2 PM
Monday February 16 @ 6 PM threw Thursday February 19 @ 3 AM
Monday March 16 @ 4 AM threw Wednesday March 18 @ 12 PM
Saturday June 6 @ 3 AM threw Monday June 8 @ 10 AM
Thursday July 30 @ 3 PM threw Saturday August 1 @ 10 PM

Best FLOWER Periods :

Sunday January 18 @ 11 PM threw Tuesday January 20 @ 7 AM
Friday February 6 @ 12 AM threw Saturday February 7 @ 3 AM
Saturday March 14 @ 3 PM threw Monday March 16 @ 12 AM
Tuesday April 28 @ 7 PM threw Thursday April 30 @ 2 PM
Tuesday May 26 @ 12 PM threw Wednesday May 27 @ 9 PM
Thursday June 4 @ 2 PM threw Friday June 5 @ 11 PM
Wednesday July 1 @ 8 PM threw Friday July 3 @ 5 AM
Wednesday July 29 @ 2 AM threw Thursday July 30 @ 11 AM

Notes:

Moon phases as seen from the Northern Hemisphere.

‘waxing’ means increasing in size. A waxing Moon phase appears lit on the right side.
Waning’ means decreasing in size.
A waning Moon phase appears lit on the left side
Moon phases as seen from the Southern Hemisphere.

Wicking beds made of old roof tin.

Cauliflower cabbage

2009-04-03T23:00:00.000-07:00

Date: 04 April 2009

today I started seed of

Ferry's round Dutch cabbage it is said to be 3-5 pounds vigorous plant.

Cauliflower Early snowball A it is a cool weather veggie too.

sidereal zodiac (Maria Thun)

Leaf Cancer
Waxing gibbous

Cancer (water, feminine); Crab; Moon; Breast/Stomach; moist and fruitful Widely considered to be the most productive of all the signs and most frequently used for planting both above-ground and root crops. Plant seeds, transplant, irrigate, bud/graft. Asparagus, barley, beets, berries, bulbs, carrots, corn, lettuce, potatoes, roses, herbs, wheat, and deciduous trees do very well. Start compost heaps and worm farms when the moon is in the fourth quarter under Cancer.

Farmer Almanac tv said April 2-4 Plant tomatoes, beans, peppers, corn, cotton, and other above ground crops on these most fruitful days. Plant seed beds. Start flower gardens.

The CABBAGE FAMILY INCLUDES

(Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, kale and kohlrabi)
Companions: Beet, celery, chard, cucumber, lettuce, onion, potato, spinach.

NOTE:
Chamomile and garlic improve growth and flavor.
Dill improves growth and health.
Kohlrabi and tomato stunt each other's growth.
Insect control
Catnip, hyssop, rosemary and sage deter cabbage moth.
Mint deters cabbage moth and ants, improves health and flavor.
Nasturtium deters bugs, beetles, aphids.
Southernwood deters cabbage moth, improves growth and flavor.
Tansy deters cabbage worm and cutworm.
Thyme deters cabbage worm.

A
2009 Astronomy Calendar of Celestial Events

Corn

2009-04-03T17:17:00.000-07:00

Varieties I am trying this year include
- Stowell's Evergreen Sweet Corn, This is among the oldest sweet corn that is still in production, predating 1949. It is still a favorite of many, producing tasty white kernels. The plants used to be pulled up when completely ripe, and hung upside-down in a cool pantry; the ears would last well into the winter, in a semi-fresh state. In 1873, the seeds sold for 25 cents per pint.
- True Gold Sweet Corn, Attractive ears are filled with sweet, yellow kernels that have a fine flavor. This newer open-pollinated corn is becoming a favorite of gardeners everywhere. Productive 75-day corn that is a great home and market variety
- Chires Baby Corn . picke fresh and put into stir-fries and soups. This variety produces up to 20 tiny ears on its multi-stalked plants; pick just after the silk shows at the tips of ears, or let mature for popcorn!

Growing facts:
Plant your corn in full sun and well after any risk of frost. corn, does not transplant well, so direct seed is best. Your corn should receive at least eight hours of sunlight a day. Soil temperatures should be about 60 degrees F for proper germination, and slightly higher for the super sweet varieties. Generally, May and June are good months to plant. soil should drain well , or kernels may rot if the soil doesn’t dry well and they stay too wet. It is always a good idea to add organic compost to your soil. This will balance out drainage and other factors like pH which should be around 6.0 to 6.5. To raise the pH if it is low you can add the powdered limestone during fall so that your soil will be ready by the next growing season Water well after planting, and again two to four days later if there has been no rain.

Corn roots are extensive, reaching as deep as 6 to 7 feet in the soil, and thoroughly spreading throughout the upper 2 feet or so in the soil. Finer roots have more area for their weight than larger-diameter roots, so are more efficient at moving into soil and taking up water and nutrients

Cross-pollination can occur between different varieties of Corn, affecting taste, color, and other qualities. To prevent this, isolate each type by at least 700 feet, about 300 meters {or allow at least 14 days between times of maturity.}

Do not plant sooner than 10 days to 2 weeks after the date of the last killing frost. If you plant too early, your seedlings may die or their growth can be delayed.Since Corn is wind pollinated, it's better to plant 4 or more short, side-by-side rows than 1 or 2 long rows. This will help pollination and ear development .Plant your seeds approximately one inch deep and space them about a foot apart in each row.

Organic corn is free of pesticides that suppress the immune system, accumulate to toxic levels, and can trigger allergic reactions. Organic corn has significantly more antioxidants than other corn: 58.5 percent more. Organic corn also has a lower environmental impact. It uses less water to grow, causes less runoff, and requires uses no petroleum based fertilizers to grow (which cuts oil consumption).

Corn borer — This moth's larvae feeds on all above-ground tissues of the plant. The cavities they produce interfere with the translocation of water and nutrients, thus reducing the strength of both the stalk and the ear shank. Some methods of control include using a pest-resistant variety, destroying infected stalks at the end of the season, and harvesting early before the moths have a chance to lay eggs.
Corn earworm Larvae right adult left— These caterpillars feed on the tips of the ears of Corn, devouring the kernels and sometimes even destroying the silks before pollination has completed. This results in deformed ears that are susceptible to disease and mold. They can be controlled with Bt, a natural bacteria that produces toxic proteins that kill certain insects. You can also till in fall and spring to expose pupae to wind, weather, and predators, release beneficial insects such as trichogramma wasps, lacewings, minute pirate bugs, and damsel bugs, or use botanical insecticides (always read instructions and cautions before use). To control corn earworms, some people apply a couple drops of mineral oil on the silk. Apply it after pollination. The mineral oil suffocates the earworms.

Smut — Corn smut is caused by a fungus, and it can be removed by hand and buried or burned. Since the spores can get into your Corn through injured parts of the plant, try to avoid injury of roots, stalks, and leaves during cultivation. Also, plant disease-resistant varieties when possible, and at the end of the season, plow diseased stalks to bury any surviving spores.
Stewart's disease (bacterial wilt) — This disease is caused by a bacteria that's transmitted by several insects, namely the flea beetle, which will over winter and spread the disease once it starts feeding on the new year's crop. To control it, plant disease-resistant plants whenever possible, eliminate or discourage the presence of flea beetles, and don't use seeds that were produced in a field contaminated with Stewart's wilt.
Flea beetle - Flea beetles, so named for their tendency to jump when disturbed, love Corn. They produce a characteristic injury to leaves known as "shot-holing." Young plants and seedlings are particularly susceptible to this damage. You can use Seven Dust or organic Neem oil to control them.

COMPANION PLANTING
NASTURTIUMS worked well at keeping away the Corn borer for me last year.

beans, cucumber, white geranium, lamb's quarters, melons, morning glory, parsley, peanuts, peas, potato, pumpkin, soybeans, squash and sunflower.

3 sisters method
A classic example is to grow climbing beans up corn while inter-planting pumpkins or . squash The corn provides a natural trellis for the beans, pumpkins smother the weeds and helps corn roots retain moisture.
Corn is a heavy feeder and the beans fix nitrogen from air into the soil. The beans do not feed the corn will it is growing but when the bean plants die back they return nitrogen to the soil that was used up by the corn. A win-win situation. Another interesting helper for corn is the weed Pig's Thistle which raises nutrients from the subsoil to where the corn can reach them.
Keep corn away from celery and tomato plants.

Seeds for 4-3-2009

2009-04-03T02:53:00.000-07:00

Flower Gemini
First quarter
Today Moon is in Gemini: This is a Air sign. This is a good time to sow Flowering plants like Broccoli, Cauliflowers, Artichokes,

Contradiction

Gemini (air, masculine); Twins; Mercury; Arms/Chest; dry and barren Not good for planting anything; good for cultivating, destroying noxious growth and pests, weeding and harvesting.

According to farmers almanac on line
Outdoor Planting Table for 2009

Broccoli plants Mar 7-10, Mar 26-31 it is past time for me. But I have to replant seed as the ones Amy started for me on March 5, 2009 did not make it.

Cabbage plants Mar 7-10, Mar 26-Apr 9

Cauliflower plants Mar 26-Apr 7
Today, I will plant only a few seed to see what will happen,
some of my perennial flower seeds will be started .
I will be using recycled toilet paper tubes with potting soil to start them .
See this post for information on how to make them.

How the Moon affects plant growth

2009-04-02T05:58:00.000-07:00

The new moon,
Lunar gravity pulls water up, and causes a seeds to swell and burst. This factor, coupled with the increasing moonlight creates balanced root and leaf growth. This is the best time for planting above ground annual crops that produce their seeds outside the fruit. Examples are lettuce, spinach, celery, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and grain crops. Cucumbers also do well,

In the second quarter the gravitational pull is less, but the moonlight is strong, creating strong leaf growth. It is generally a good time for planting, especially two days before the full moon. The types of crops that prefer the second quarter are annuals that produce above ground, but their seeds form inside the fruit, such as beans, melons, peas, peppers, squash, and tomatoes. Mow lawns in the first or second quarter to increase growth.

Waning Gibbous Moon

After the full moon, as the moon wanes, the energy is drawing down. The gravitation pull is high, creating more moisture in the soil, but the moonlight is decreasing, putting energy into the roots. This is a favorable time for planting root crops, including beets, carrots, onions, potatoes, and peanuts. It is also good for perennials, biennials, bulbs and transplanting because of the active root growth. Pruning is best done in the third quarter, in the sign of Scorpio.

In the fourth quarter there is decreased gravitational pull and moonlight, and it is considered a resting period. This is also the best time to cultivate, harvest, transplant and prune. Mow lawns in the third or fourth quarter to retard growth.

Chart from wickpedia

The Moon has been part of the planting and growing process of most early cultures throughout the world. The Moon does not only has an affect on the large bodies of water such as oceans (tides) and rivers but also has influence on small amounts of liquid that can be found in plants like sap in a tree.. When water is rising during the Waxing Moon, seeds sown and crops planted can take up more liquids than those sown in the waning phase.
Click here to see the farmers almanac video

Moon Signs for garden

2009-04-02T05:10:00.000-07:00

Click here For the lunar planting calendar calendars

Astrological Moon Signs

Aries (fire, masculine); Ram; Mars; Head; dry and barren Not good for planting anything; good for cultivating, destroying noxious growth and pests, weeding and harvesting.

Taurus (earth, feminine); Bull; Venus; Neck/Throat; moist and fairly productive Plant root crops like potatoes & bulb plants;
plant flowers for hardiness, beans, cabbage, lettuce, onion sets, radish, turnip, leafy vegetables and hay; set out/plant peach, pear and plum trees; perform general garden maintenance.

Gemini (air, masculine); Twins; Mercury; Arms/Chest; dry and barren Not good for planting anything; good for cultivating, destroying noxious growth and pests, weeding and harvesting.

Cancer (water, feminine);productive
Crab; Moon; Breast in the old way like some farmers almanacs, it is not used for planting.Because this sign was above the waist.
But in the sidereal and biometric views it is widely considered to be the most productive of all the signs and most frequently used for planting both above-ground and root crops. Plant seeds, transplant, irrigate, bud/graft. Asparagus, barley, beets, berries, bulbs, carrots, corn, lettuce, potatoes, roses, herbs, wheat, and deciduous trees do very well.
Start compost heaps and worm farms when the moon is in the fourth quarter under Cancer.

Leo (fire, masculine); Lion; Sun; Heart/Back; the most barren and dry of all the signs No planting at all during this sign, ever. Exterminate weeds and noxious growth, harvest and cultivate.

Virgo (earth, feminine); Virgin; Mercury; Bowels; “Bloom Days”; moist but barren Good for destroying weeds and pests. Vegetables will not do well if planted in Virgo (big blooms, little ‘fruit’), but it is a good planting sign for most flowers and vines for large bloom yields. Don't plant vegetables or trees.

Libra (air, masculine); Balance; Venus; Kidneys; moist and semi-fertile Used for planting crops where good pulp growth and roots are desirable; another good sign for flowers and vines. Plant seeds for hay, corn, fodder, grain. Flowers, bulbs, barley, beans, beet, cabbage, carrot, peas, squash, tubers and vines.

Scorpio (water, feminine); Scorpion; Mars; Loins; very fruitful and moist Produces sturdy, reliable plants. Plant most vegetables and flowers for large yields; excellent time to plant beans, berries, cantaloupes, cauliflower, cereal, chicory, eggplant, peas, potatoes, pumpkin; do not dig potatoes during this sign.

Sagittarius (fire, masculine); Archer; Jupiter; Thighs;
Some say this is a good time to plant fiery, “hot” crops such as onions, garlic, peppers, chilies and radishes cultivate and harvest.used for planting both above-ground crop like tomato.

Capricorn (earth, feminine); Goat; Saturn; Knees; productive Good for most planting. Plant bulbs, potatoes, root crops, beans, cabbage, broccoli, lettuce, onion sets, radishes, flowers and fruit trees.

Aquarius (air, masculine); Waterman; Uranus; Legs/Ankles; another barren and dry sign Not good for planting anything; good for harvesting, cultivation and extermination of pests.

Pisces (water, feminine); Fish; Neptune; Feet; one of the most fertile signs A great time for planting most types of crops, including broccoli, bulbs, Brussels sprouts, carrots, celery, chicory, cress, cucumbers, endive, horseradish, parsley, peanuts, radishes, pumpkins, flowers (for abundance) and deciduous trees.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

It is good to plant (below ground, or root crops) on good sign days during the last quarter of the moon,
Note *do not plant on the actual day the moon changes to/from any of the four quarters.
For example, if the moon goes full on the 22, you should not plant anything on that day, even though it is a "fruitful" sign.
And remember, if the moon is "growing up", plant things that "grow up", above the ground. When the moon is "shrinking", or "going down", plant things that grow below ground, like bulbs, potatoes and onions.
Butchering is usually done when the moon is waning in Scorpio
Links are in purple
See wickpedia for Sidereal astrology explained.
Biodynamic Planting Dates pdf

Carrot, St. Valery

2009-03-31T19:22:00.000-07:00

Carrot, St.Valery
.

Introduced in 1885. James Vick & Sons Company of Rochester, New York reported in 1924 that St. Valery is a large handsome variety with bright red-orange roots;crop carrot....Enormously productive. Very desirable for private gardens as well as for markets." Roots are 8-10" long, & 2"-3" in diameter. Sweet & tender. fine-grained, excellent for storage. 50-80 days.

Use of them is considered Rare.
Early sowings can be made 2-3 weeks before spring’s last frost date. The tiny seeds should be surface-sown and not covered, or covered only minimally, and kept uniformly moist until seedlings are strong. May be sown throughout spring and summer at 2-3 week intervals, until about a month before first frost in autumn.

GROWING TIPS: Carrots have a very tiny seed and high germination. Thinning can disturb the root structure, so you will achieve the best results by adequately spacing seeds when initially planted and re-sow to fill any gaps (which will give you a nicely staggered crop).

pest control

2008-10-14T11:54:00.000-07:00

In a small dish, place about equal parts dish soap and apple cider vinegar. Set it out, and watch the fruit flies collect! This ideal came form Melanie

Make you own Flea Collars

And now a treat for chocolate lovers.
DANGEROUS CHOCOLATE CAKE-IN-A-MUG

How to can Apple jelly

2008-10-13T20:23:00.000-07:00

How to can Apple jelly

How to go green video

2008-10-12T17:46:00.000-07:00

Simple ways to get started

Green garden

2008-10-12T10:25:00.000-07:00

I started my garden by laying out newspaper you can also use cardboard to control the weeds. Add a layer of composted manure, topsoil, peat moss . I do not have a compost heap ready to use yet. But next year I will so it can be added to the layers. I also added dry grass. And topped with dry grass. and used coffee grounds to both fertilize and keep my cats from digging in the soil. The still wander the ground and keep bigger pest out of the garden but do not add there fertilizer to the ground. Whis is unwanted in the garden.

I added companion plants like Nasturtiums, marigolds, and cinnamon basil . To control unwanted insects that damage the veggies. The clover was allowed to grow and multiply as it added wanted nitrogen to the ground. Corn needs all it can get as it removes it from the soil.
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Every little thing helps in one way or another.

It can be as simple as using cloth or paper bags

Or save on electric use by using compact florescent bulbs
I bought 2 chickens so I will have healthy eggs for my hubby
And will spend zero on gas to provide him with a good healthy breakfast.
I grew my own veggies with no pesticides or herbicides.
And it used no gas to go in my yard to pick fresh produce for use to eat this crop.
I recycled by using 5 gallon buckets headed for the trash from my local grocery store. I used them to grow some of my tomatoes upside down. All 6 of the buckets will fit on the 4x4s and I can put cross boards on the end if I want to expand and grow more in the sane amount of space. This way also keeps some pest from your plants.

IT'S GREEN DAY @ my garden journal

Moon calander 2010

I have loofahs !

Calling it quits.

Feast or famine

Full moon lunar eclipse

The unveiling

Hypertufa

July Garden Activities

A very hot day

Tiny harvest

POW WOW photo's

Deep root watering

The garden is blooming !

Self watering bucket

Todays garden

First Tomato Blooms

Garden research.

June planting calendar

Colored mulch 101

Cherry tomatoes in my garden

The garden is growing

Wednesday update

Wilted tomato plant, pest or disease?

More rain

Why are the leaves turning yellow?

How to find the right sign

Tomato Pruning

Self watering container

Green house

Beans

Moon Signs for May garden

Todays garden 1

Moon planting methods

Trees

Lunar garden update1

Beneficial Insects

Insect-Repelling Plants

Plant spacing

Tomato 2

Self watering containers

COMPANION PLANTING CHART

April moon chart

TOMATOES & companion plants.

April planting table

I think I get it now!

Tomato update 1

Date: 08 April 2009

Moon at 4°10' Libra,

Biodynamic garden

Cauliflower cabbage

Corn

Seeds for 4-3-2009

How the Moon affects plant growth

Moon Signs for garden

Carrot, St. Valery

Carrot, St.Valery

pest control

How to can Apple jelly

How to go green video

Green garden