Tis always delicate after getting planted - so given the rains around these parts I thoughts I'd share a "9a" update - ain't nothing earth-shattering bout it other than the plants seems to be.....
"For the most part - the plants look “Okay” to me - all things considered." Yep indeed Ken. When I start my own "Gardening in the Wesern Cape" in September, in our spring time, I aspire to match your amazing images and great work and will seek your advice too. No wonder you ask where you ever got time to work for income - I do too! I am fully enagaged but changes are coming allowing time for gardening.
Well - as I have already told my family direct. I solved my "dilemma" today. It was multi-faceted and this is what I did.....succinctly. I went down there and planted a few more good looking peppa babies in places basically ready. I got in the dirt and it felt good. We have had a bit of a reprieve from the rain. Then - knowing what I know about my schedule - I realized - I still have a greenhouse - and this little plants - all of them - seem to have benefited from the long steady rain-time. So I selected some to go to the greenhouse (meaning I don't feel compelled to plant them yet) and the others I'll try to get planted tomorrow. If not, they can go to the greenhouse as well.
~
See the thing is - the act of getting the soil just how desired is pretty hard work and couple that with the fact I truly want to plant each and every one of these little sprouts - "survived a fungal attack is my current premise" - but there a lot of them. I'm thinking - well many it seems have recovered and now let them grow in the greenhouse I reckon. Win-win - as long as it doesn't get "too hot" in there.
That's good advice Ken. I have no greenhouse, just lots of small plots at the base of the mountain. I am planning to test the soil in the spring, and add whatever to balance the Ph and plant some seeds from pots in September. I am working first with veg, my favourite spinach, runner beans, potato tower, carrots, tomatoes and onions, cabbage and choko vine: https://deepgreenpermaculture.com/2023/02/05/how-to-grow-a-choko-vine-from-a-fruit/
Well, that's the plan but as always, plans change as the seasons!
That "greenhouse" I talk about and shown in images cost like 60 us buck from Amazon P&S - so while you may have to "pay more" in South Africa - it hardly is any sort of structure difficult to acquire. It does facilitate options - but demands maintenance for the plants within - no doubt. But anybody can have one these days - and that in a way is the beauty of the moment in time we find ourselves - so many tools at the ready.
~
As for the soil at my place it seems it is naturally supple and I mean high quality soil for the crops I'm growing - evidence suggests. I've added peat moss - which peppers and tomatoes both appreciate its tendency to buffer things and keep the soil a bit acidic while at the same time helping with holding in moisture - I've added some nitrogen via "meal worm" - but the birds love the garden so much - I watch them getting their meals - so; addition of phosphorus is not necessary - cause we all know how the birds poop so frequently - and moreover - the birds - some of them enjoy eating aphids - and aphids when controlled by birds such as the tufted titmouse and the chickadee - actually serve a purpose in keeping the pepper leaves free from fungal attack. It is a delicate balance well tuned.
~
Some of that is speculation - but for a balanced garden - birds are not only essential - they are critical for any hopes of having a crop of merit. Now of course the Carolina Pigeon is extinct - and if the flocks of them showed up - eating everything within their diet - well no wonder - flocks of that nature have lately gone extinct - they are too disruptive - and nowadays species as such - being we all are so inter-connected - have diminishing chances if their harmony is incongruous with ambitions of those just trying to get established in a new place.
~
Tis my view that plants can get stifled and start out "behind" as desired - but with loving care and attention - they can offer fruit bountiful over time - even if they got off to a slow start.
~
Reality is - I don't have a "farm" yet - but I do have a serious garden - and it is most prolific - and so if this can be "scaled-up" with wisdom - I suspect before too long I could be running a peppa company - au natural!
I have cultiated the birds and we have a wide range which I will photo for my Gardening Blog to follow your example which is both informative and interesting to read and view - I learn alot at every stage. Thanks mate, excellent work.
Well - I got the rest planted this morning. Two additional observations:
1. As expected (and seriously hoped) - about 10+ little tomato plants have "sprung" on their own accord.
2. This year in the soil - I noticed more worms then previously. When they got exposed a tried to put some soil over them - cause the birds around here are voracious!
~
Man - I'm so glad I got everything planted. I'll share more in "Update #10".
"For the most part - the plants look “Okay” to me - all things considered." Yep indeed Ken. When I start my own "Gardening in the Wesern Cape" in September, in our spring time, I aspire to match your amazing images and great work and will seek your advice too. No wonder you ask where you ever got time to work for income - I do too! I am fully enagaged but changes are coming allowing time for gardening.
Best wishes
Peter (AP is too remore now)
Well - as I have already told my family direct. I solved my "dilemma" today. It was multi-faceted and this is what I did.....succinctly. I went down there and planted a few more good looking peppa babies in places basically ready. I got in the dirt and it felt good. We have had a bit of a reprieve from the rain. Then - knowing what I know about my schedule - I realized - I still have a greenhouse - and this little plants - all of them - seem to have benefited from the long steady rain-time. So I selected some to go to the greenhouse (meaning I don't feel compelled to plant them yet) and the others I'll try to get planted tomorrow. If not, they can go to the greenhouse as well.
~
See the thing is - the act of getting the soil just how desired is pretty hard work and couple that with the fact I truly want to plant each and every one of these little sprouts - "survived a fungal attack is my current premise" - but there a lot of them. I'm thinking - well many it seems have recovered and now let them grow in the greenhouse I reckon. Win-win - as long as it doesn't get "too hot" in there.
~
Warm Regards friend from afar!
Ken
That's good advice Ken. I have no greenhouse, just lots of small plots at the base of the mountain. I am planning to test the soil in the spring, and add whatever to balance the Ph and plant some seeds from pots in September. I am working first with veg, my favourite spinach, runner beans, potato tower, carrots, tomatoes and onions, cabbage and choko vine: https://deepgreenpermaculture.com/2023/02/05/how-to-grow-a-choko-vine-from-a-fruit/
Well, that's the plan but as always, plans change as the seasons!
Blessings to you and yours Ken,
Peter
That "greenhouse" I talk about and shown in images cost like 60 us buck from Amazon P&S - so while you may have to "pay more" in South Africa - it hardly is any sort of structure difficult to acquire. It does facilitate options - but demands maintenance for the plants within - no doubt. But anybody can have one these days - and that in a way is the beauty of the moment in time we find ourselves - so many tools at the ready.
~
As for the soil at my place it seems it is naturally supple and I mean high quality soil for the crops I'm growing - evidence suggests. I've added peat moss - which peppers and tomatoes both appreciate its tendency to buffer things and keep the soil a bit acidic while at the same time helping with holding in moisture - I've added some nitrogen via "meal worm" - but the birds love the garden so much - I watch them getting their meals - so; addition of phosphorus is not necessary - cause we all know how the birds poop so frequently - and moreover - the birds - some of them enjoy eating aphids - and aphids when controlled by birds such as the tufted titmouse and the chickadee - actually serve a purpose in keeping the pepper leaves free from fungal attack. It is a delicate balance well tuned.
~
Some of that is speculation - but for a balanced garden - birds are not only essential - they are critical for any hopes of having a crop of merit. Now of course the Carolina Pigeon is extinct - and if the flocks of them showed up - eating everything within their diet - well no wonder - flocks of that nature have lately gone extinct - they are too disruptive - and nowadays species as such - being we all are so inter-connected - have diminishing chances if their harmony is incongruous with ambitions of those just trying to get established in a new place.
~
Tis my view that plants can get stifled and start out "behind" as desired - but with loving care and attention - they can offer fruit bountiful over time - even if they got off to a slow start.
~
Reality is - I don't have a "farm" yet - but I do have a serious garden - and it is most prolific - and so if this can be "scaled-up" with wisdom - I suspect before too long I could be running a peppa company - au natural!
~
🦬
I have cultiated the birds and we have a wide range which I will photo for my Gardening Blog to follow your example which is both informative and interesting to read and view - I learn alot at every stage. Thanks mate, excellent work.
Cheers
Peter
I literally just "figured out" what the garden area needs - this is ironic. It needs mulch. I got some in Charlotte!
~
I got plenty!
Well - I got the rest planted this morning. Two additional observations:
1. As expected (and seriously hoped) - about 10+ little tomato plants have "sprung" on their own accord.
2. This year in the soil - I noticed more worms then previously. When they got exposed a tried to put some soil over them - cause the birds around here are voracious!
~
Man - I'm so glad I got everything planted. I'll share more in "Update #10".
~
Ken