Garden Box Done. Check!

I got the garden box filled last night.  I wrapped up that project about quarter after 8.  We got the soil mix instructed in the Square Foot Garden book;  1/3 compost mix, 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 vermiculite.  I must say, the soil is light and fluffy.  I put a little wire fence around the garden box to reduce some local animal traffic, as well as to keep one little Boston Terrier out (I'm talking to you, Mimi).  She's cute, but she could reek havoc on our little garden, if we don't pay attention.

We hope to plant some seeds this week, work schedule permitting.

The Garden Is Coming Together

This Saturday, I dropped some more money to get the soil mix made.  We did the Square Foot Gardening mix; the Mel Mix!

Unfortunately,  I did not buy enough to make all the soil mix I needed.  So we have to make another trip to the landscaping store to get all the things I need.  Mainly Vermiculite.  That stuff is pricey.  I can say, the soil we mixed up is really nice.  Hopefully, we'll have all the soil mix and the garden box ready for some seeds.

As far as the seedlings are concerned, we're doing good.  I have 15 seedlings in little cups of soil under some grow lights in the basement.  I've got some anaheim chilies, pakistan chunky chilies, thai sun chilies, long red slim chilies, scotch bonnet peppers and some lavender.  My seed tray is molding over, so that's a downer.  Only one seedling was overcome by mold.  Overall, I'm happy with what I have.  It's nice to see the little guys getting bigger and stronger.

GO TEAM!

Seedlings Moved

Tonight I did some moving.  I had four anaheim chilies and three pakistan chunky chilies that were ready to leave the seed tray.  They all had two true leaves.  I had a couple seedlings that were together, but luckly I got them apart.  I made a mixture of three different composts, pete moss, vermiculite and some garden soil.  I put that into little plastic cups.  Gently move the little guys to the cups, then labeled them and moved them to another florecent light setup down in the basement. 

I hope they keep on growing!  This is Great!  I also have one Thai Sun Chili poking through.  It should be up by morning, I think.

Time for bed.  I hope I dream about gardening with Miss 38th Street.
 

Sprout updates

So,

the sprouts are three anaheim chilies and one pakistan chunky chili.  I really love this stuff. 

I have sprouts!!!!

I was about to go to bed and then I checked the seeds and WOW!  THREE SPROUTS!!!  3 out of 32.  Not good, but at least I have three!  What a great day.  Miss 38th St is so proud of me.  It's the little things in life, you know. 

Busy Sunday Afternoon

Alright!

It was a beautiful Sunday on 38th St.  Miss 38th St and I spent all day in the yard getting it ready for spring.  We got a lot done.

First, I built and placed the garden box in the front yard.  It's a little crooked, but I'll tweek it later.  It was fun building the garden box.  I had to buy some new power tools to get it done!  Hell yeah!  Whoo-Ah!  Power tools!

Second, I installed lattice on the south side of the house and the west side of the garage.  I'm putting this here for vines.  I planting trumpet vines at each place.  Suggestions?  Comments on my choice of vines?

Third, Miss 38th St racked up all the old hostas and day lilies so the new ones could rise up.  We also cut back the mums, too. 

Fourth, Miss 38th St seeded the yard in all the barren spots.  Seeded, watered and covered with straw.  I know the lawn will look better this year.  I has to!

Fifth, I cut down my grow-light stand that's sitting above my seed tray.  Thanks to a suggestion from Noelle, hopefully these pepper seeds will germinate!  That's what I'm talking about!  People helping me out on this garden adventure!  I really appreciate the helpful tips.  Thank you, Noelle!

Also, the daffodils have popped up a few days ago, as well as the strawberries.  Very cool.  It's coming all together.  We have some good vibes over here off 38th St.  Miss 38th St and I are going to sit back, have a beer or two and enjoy the good feelings from getting our place ready for spring.

It's burger time! 

Seed Update!

Ok,

So as I mentioned last time, the seeds are not germinating.  So, I put a heat pad under the seed tray.  Now the seed tray has 32 squares.  It has water under the squares, in which this contraption keeps the seeds moist.  AND it was a sunny day today, which created some condensation on the seed square covers.  That's hot.

Now I made a grow light stand, with help from Dad.  I have one grow light above the seeds now, and I have to get ONE more light to complete this.  I will have two light fixtures above the seed tray, when I'm finished.  One has a light temperature of around 2800K.  The other is going to be around 6500K.  That will get a good spectrum for the little guys, I hope.  I'm going to look for the other lamp tomorrow after work. 

If this doesn't work, I'm going to get another seed tray contraption.  Preferably the one I had last year.  That one worked!  Ok seed try, you better work or you are going the way of LaTroy Hawkins.  You Cubs fans know what I'm talkin bout!  That guy SUCKED!

the Seeds

On Sunday, February 27, I planted some seeds in a seed starter kit.  It's sitting in front of our south facing window.  It's now Wednesday, March 9th and no sprouts.  Now granted, the seeds I planted, the packets say that they take a while to germinate.  Oh, I guess I should say what we are planting, or trying to plant. 

Here's the list:  Scotch Bonnet Pepper, Thai Sun Chilies, Anaheim Chilies, Long Red Slim Chilies, Pakistan Chunk Chilies, and Lavender.   

I bought a heating pad to put under the seed tray that I'm using.  Last time I started seeds, the kit came with a little heat pad.  It worked!  So I'm trying it again.  I really want these seeds to grow.  I got all the pepper seeds from a place called Pepper Joe's .  If you want peppers, go there.  They got all kinds of peppers.  A bunch that I've never heard of until then.  Well,  I'm going to get crackin!

38th Street!

Composter

When I returned home today, I crushed the dried egg shells we had sitting on top of the frig.  It was about 8 egg shells.  I threw them into the compost bin.  Then I shredded some more fall leaves and threw those in, too.  I've been storing fall leaves in garbage bags in the garage.  The compost book recommended that you use one part "wet green" to every four parts "dry brown" (shredded fall leaves). 

This is our first compost bin.  I got the Soilsaver compost bin.  I got it off ebay for like $60 with free shipping!  That's a compost score!  That is so stupid!  Anyway, I got it around Thanksgiving.  Not a whole lot of action in the compost bin at the moment.  It's starting to do some work.  I know it'll get the job done, like Big Daddy Kane. 

I've seen on composting websites that the real compost action doesn't really get going until it's a 135 to 160 degrees.  When it's cold out side, it should be stirred once a month.  So, I stir it once a month at the moment.  I did it today.  I'm making a note of that. 

A local Indy note:  If you haven't been to Locally Grown Gardens and you live around the Broad Ripple area, you should check it out.  They have fresh produce from around the state or close by, a hog roast everyday, fresh bread and apple pies, fresh eggs, and lots of sodas and drinks in old glass bottles, like Ting!  My favorite drink from Jamaica.  All praise Jah!  EXODUS!  MOVEMENT OF JAH PEOPLE...        soooo, they also sell garden veggie and herb transplants.  I got all the tomatoes from them last year.  Woah, they were good. 

My 38th Street Garden

Hello,

It's the The 38th Street Gardener here.  That is a hilarious statement!  Anyway, I live just off 38th street, but close enough.  Well, I started this blog more for myself so I can keep track of my progress this year, as well as giving and receiving tips for the urban gardener. 

My girlfriend and I are planting our second garden in our small plot of land.  Last years garden was kinda successful.  I planted what I thought was a garden to surprise Miss 38th Street Gardener.  It mainly consisted of tomatoes, vegetables consumed by the tomatoes and disease ridden fruit n' veggies.  We had tomatoes, oh did we have tomatoes.  Luckly, we love tomatoes.  Unfortunately, we didn't preserve them. 

So this is the 2011 version of my 38th Street Garden.  I have a plan this time.  I read a couple books that helped me get going:  Mike McGrath's Book of Compost and Mel Bartholomew's All New Square Foot Gardening.  These were great books.  I've started my compost bin in the back yard, and I have a square foot garden mapped out for the front yard. 

Ok, that enough to start this blog.  I will write again soon.  I have some steps in the process completed, but I don't want to RAMBLE ON. 

SPRING IS NEAR!!!!!

38th St Gardener